Orion Technical College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Orion Technical College is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Orion Technical College 6:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Orion Technical College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($27,001 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 8.7% lower than at Orion Technical College ($10,000 vs. $10,956).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Orion Technical College (about $2,064 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Orion Technical College (about $2,064 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Orion Technical College (63% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($8,276 vs. $4,802).

Orion Technical College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College.

• Orion Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Orion Technical College - Open admission; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.

Orion Technical College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Orion Technical 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Orion Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($9,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($98 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orion Technical College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 33%)

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.