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Mount Mercy University vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cedar Rapids IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Des Moines IA

The verdict

Mount Mercy University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,672 in 6.5 years versus 7.8 years at Mercy College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $60,787 vs $62,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMount Mercy UniversityMercy College of Health Sciences
Net price / yr$20,168$26,924
Total net cost$80,672$107,696
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,787$62,234
Median debt$23,699$14,745
Payback6.5 yrs7.8 yrs
20-year net return$167,868$169,784

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Mount Mercy University, at $20,168 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $6,756 a year, or $27,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?

Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates report a median $62,234 ten years after entry, $1,447 more than the $60,787 at Mount Mercy University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $23,699 at Mount Mercy University, a difference of $8,954. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Mercy College of Health Sciences, against 58% at Mount Mercy University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Mount Mercy University vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: frequently asked questions

Is Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences a better value?
Mount Mercy University. It clears its $80,672 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 7.8 years at Mercy College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $60,787 vs $62,234 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mount Mercy University: $20,168/yr net price after aid versus $26,924/yr at Mercy College of Health Sciences — a difference of $6,756 a year, or about $27,024 over four years.
Do Mount Mercy University or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn a median $62,234 ten years after entry, versus $60,787 at Mount Mercy University — a $1,447 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.