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

Private nonprofit, Indianola IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Des Moines IA

The verdict

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 years at Simpson College, on median earnings of $62,234 vs $59,274 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSimpson CollegeMercy College of Health Sciences
Net price / yr$21,936$26,924
Total net cost$87,744$107,696
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,274$62,234
Median debt$26,000$14,745
Payback8 yrs7.8 yrs
20-year net return$130,536$169,784

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

Which is cheaper, Simpson College or Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Simpson College, at $21,936 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $4,988 a year, or $19,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Simpson College or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?

Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates report a median $62,234 ten years after entry, $2,960 more than the $59,274 at Simpson College. 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, Simpson College or Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Simpson College, a difference of $11,255. 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 63% at Simpson College. 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.

Simpson College vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: frequently asked questions

Is Simpson College or Mercy College of Health Sciences a better value?
Mercy College of Health Sciences. It clears its $107,696 net cost in about 7.8 years versus 8 years at Simpson College, on median earnings of $62,234 vs $59,274 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Simpson College or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Simpson College: $21,936/yr net price after aid versus $26,924/yr at Mercy College of Health Sciences — a difference of $4,988 a year, or about $19,952 over four years.
Do Simpson College 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 $59,274 at Simpson College — a $2,960 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.