Central College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Central College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Mercy College of Health Sciences? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($23,848 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 17.1% lower than at Central College ($10,000 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,324 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at Central College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,324 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 68.3% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($13,925 vs. $8,276).

Central College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Mercy College of Health Sciences? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercy College of Health Sciences and Central College.

• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Mercy College of Health Sciences).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Central College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Mercy College of Health Sciences? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.