Saint Ambrose University vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Mercy College of Health Sciences has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,696 in 7.8 years versus 8.8 years at Saint Ambrose University, on median earnings of $62,234 vs $59,531 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Ambrose University | Mercy College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,691 | $26,924 |
| Total net cost | $98,764 | $107,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,531 | $62,234 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $14,745 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $124,656 | $169,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Ambrose University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Saint Ambrose University, at $24,691 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $2,233 a year, or $8,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Ambrose 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, $2,703 more than the $59,531 at Saint Ambrose 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, Saint Ambrose University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Ambrose University, a difference of $10,255. 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 61% at Saint Ambrose 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.