Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or JCSU? 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 Johnson C Smith University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($19,705 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 14% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($8,600 vs. $10,000).
• Johnson C Smith University is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,636 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at JCSU than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,636 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (93% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 84.1% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($15,238 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 15 at JCSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresJohnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; JCSU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and JCSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate is 37%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Mercy College of Health Sciences.
• Graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $12,050 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($206 vs. $331).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 26%)

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.