University of Iowa vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
University of Iowa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,124 in 5.5 years versus 7.8 years at Mercy College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $64,762 vs $62,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Iowa | Mercy College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,531 | $26,924 |
| Total net cost | $90,124 | $107,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,762 | $62,234 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $14,745 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $237,916 | $169,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Iowa or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
University of Iowa, at $22,531 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $4,393 a year, or $17,572 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Iowa or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
University of Iowa graduates report a median $64,762 ten years after entry, $2,528 more than the $62,234 at Mercy College of Health Sciences. 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, University of Iowa or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Iowa, a difference of $7,755. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of Iowa, against 66% at Mercy College of Health Sciences. 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.