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Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA · City · 867 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
City
Small (<3k)
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, is a specialized institution best known for its dedicated focus on healthcare education and direct career preparation. Its strongest academic offerings center on nursing—including a popular accelerated BSN track—alongside high-demand allied health programs such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiologic Technology, and Emergency Medical Services. The student experience is highly focused, tight-knit, and practical, attracting motivated individuals who learn through hands-on simulation labs and clinical coursework rather than traditional liberal arts pathways. A key defining feature is its deep partnership with the MercyOne health system, which gives students immersive clinical rotations directly adjacent to major regional medical centers and exceptional pipelines to post-graduation employment.


Wikipedia:Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private Catholic college focused on healthcare and located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1899, Mercy College offers master’s, bachelor's, and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs in the health sciences.

Location
Des Moines, IA, 50309-1239 · City campus
Nearest airport from college
OMA · Omaha
119 mi away
Cost
Cost of attendance
$34,398
Avg net price
$26,924
Tuition
$17,664
Books & supplies
$2,328/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$24,171
$30–48k
$27,533
$48–75k
$29,193
$75–110k
$26,615
$110k+
$29,953
Admissions
Admit rate
100%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
980
ACT midpoint
20
Composite 1621
English 1420
Math 1619

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Essay Requirements

This school does not appear to use the Common Application. Check the school's admissions website directly for essay requirements and application instructions.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
4-yr on-time completion
67%
1st-yr retention
69%
Transfer-out rate
6%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
52%
Transferred
24%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
24%
Median earnings (6yr)
$53,375
Median earnings (10yr)
$62,234
Median debt
$14,745
Monthly loan payment
$156
Debt range (25th–75th)
$7,479$25,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$32,500
Student Body
Men 13%Women 87%
7
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
34%
First-generation
35%
Median family income
$41,783
Independent students
54%
Avg age at entry
26.0
Part-time students
61%
Race & ethnicity
White
64%
Hispanic
14%
Black
12%
Asian
6%
Two or more
1%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
1%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$53,375
10 years after entry
$62,234
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing286
Health and Medical Administrative Services29
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs4
Public Health4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$12M
Classification
Special Focus (Technology)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions
Full-time faculty
39%
Avg faculty salary
$6,328/mo
Instructional spend/student
$9,862
Federal loan rate
63%

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