About Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College specializes in training Iowa's next generation of healthcare professionals. The school enrolls 905 students on its Des Moines campus, where Catholic values shape a curriculum focused entirely on health sciences and nursing. Women make up 85% of the student body, reflecting the gender demographics common in healthcare fields. The college has built a strong reputation for hands-on clinical training and direct pathways into Iowa's medical facilities.
Students pay an average net price of $23,417 after aid, with lower-income families paying around $21,177. Graduates earn a median salary of $62,234 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $14,745 quite manageable. Monthly loan payments average just $156, and 97% of graduates find employment in their field. The return on investment looks solid for students committed to healthcare careers.
The college maintains an intimate learning environment with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Nearly 95% of students come from Iowa, creating a tight-knit community focused on serving their home state's healthcare needs. The 96.7% acceptance rate reflects the school's mission-driven approach rather than selectivity. However, the 52.6% retention rate suggests students should be certain about their commitment to healthcare before enrolling.
Students pay an average net price of $23,417 after aid, with lower-income families paying around $21,177. Graduates earn a median salary of $62,234 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $14,745 quite manageable. Monthly loan payments average just $156, and 97% of graduates find employment in their field. The return on investment looks solid for students committed to healthcare careers.
The college maintains an intimate learning environment with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Nearly 95% of students come from Iowa, creating a tight-knit community focused on serving their home state's healthcare needs. The 96.7% acceptance rate reflects the school's mission-driven approach rather than selectivity. However, the 52.6% retention rate suggests students should be certain about their commitment to healthcare before enrolling.
Academics & Faculty
Mercy College of Health Sciences operates as a specialized health sciences institution focused entirely on nursing and allied health programs. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intensive, hands-on learning environment where professors know every student personally. However, the 46.67% four-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of clinical programs that require extensive hospital rotations and state licensing exams. Students here aren't taking general education courses, they dive straight into anatomy, pharmacology, and patient care from day one. The college's nursing program has built a strong reputation across Iowa's healthcare system. With 85.19% female enrollment, the student body mirrors the demographics of healthcare professions nationwide.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 40.9%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.6%
- Retention Rate
- 52.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,234
- Carnegie Classification
- Associate College (High Career)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,137 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,551 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,087 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $42,532 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $41,789 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $34,704 |
Campus Life
Mercy College sits in Iowa's capital city, where winters demand heavy coats and students bundle up for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing. The campus serves 905 students with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio that creates tight-knit classroom environments. Women make up 85% of enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on nursing and health sciences careers.
Nearly 95% of students come from Iowa, creating a familiar, home-state atmosphere where classmates often know each other's hometowns. The specialized health sciences focus means students spend considerable time in labs and clinical rotations rather than traditional campus activities. With 97% employment rates after graduation, the career-focused culture prioritizes professional preparation over typical college social scenes. Students often study together for rigorous health science courses, and many work part-time in local healthcare settings. Weekend activities center around Des Moines' restaurants and entertainment options, though the demanding coursework keeps most students busy with studies. The Catholic foundation influences campus values, though the school welcomes students from diverse backgrounds across its health science programs.
Nearly 95% of students come from Iowa, creating a familiar, home-state atmosphere where classmates often know each other's hometowns. The specialized health sciences focus means students spend considerable time in labs and clinical rotations rather than traditional campus activities. With 97% employment rates after graduation, the career-focused culture prioritizes professional preparation over typical college social scenes. Students often study together for rigorous health science courses, and many work part-time in local healthcare settings. Weekend activities center around Des Moines' restaurants and entertainment options, though the demanding coursework keeps most students busy with studies. The Catholic foundation influences campus values, though the school welcomes students from diverse backgrounds across its health science programs.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1899
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 13°–30°F
- July Avg
- 66°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 36.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 36.5"
Student Demographics
Students come to Mercy College from across Iowa, with nearly 95% staying in-state for their health sciences education. Women make up 85% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in nursing and allied health programs that traditionally attract more female students. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families seeking healthcare careers. The diverse student mix includes significant Black and Hispanic representation for Iowa. Most students are drawn by the college's Catholic mission and reputation for producing nurses and health professionals who stay to serve Iowa communities.
- Men
- 14.8%
- Women
- 85.2%
- White
- 67.7%
- Black
- 12.6%
- Hispanic
- 11.3%
- Asian
- 5.2%
- In-State Students
- 94.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 33.9%
Location
Mercy College sits in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city with over 200,000 residents. The campus operates in Iowa's economic and political center, where major insurance companies and healthcare systems create abundant internship opportunities. Des Moines offers a mid-sized city experience with professional sports teams, cultural districts, and a growing downtown scene. The city's strong healthcare industry aligns perfectly with the college's specialized focus. Over 94% of students come from within Iowa, reflecting the school's role as a regional healthcare education center. The urban setting provides clinical rotation sites at nearby hospitals and medical facilities. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare Mercy College of Health Sciences with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1239
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,234
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $62,428
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $44,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.6%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $156/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $14,745
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences accepts 96.71% of applicants. This Catholic health sciences college focuses on specialized nursing and healthcare programs rather than being highly selective.
How much does Mercy College of Health Sciences cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $23,417 annually. With tuition set at $17,328 for both in-state and out-of-state students, the college keeps costs relatively low for specialized healthcare education.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Mercy College of Health Sciences?
The student-faculty ratio is 7:1 across the college's 905 students. This small ratio reflects the hands-on nature of health sciences education and clinical training programs.
What are the career outcomes for Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates?
Graduates earn a median salary of $62,234 ten years after graduation with a 97% employment rate. The strong job market for healthcare professionals in Iowa drives these solid career outcomes.
Where do most students at Mercy College of Health Sciences come from?
About 94.44% of students are Iowa residents, and women make up 85.19% of the student body. This reflects the college's role as a regional pipeline for healthcare workers in Des Moines and throughout Iowa.
Does Mercy College of Health Sciences have good graduation rates?
The six-year graduation rate is 48.60% with a retention rate of 52.63%. These rates reflect the demanding nature of health sciences programs, though graduates who complete their degrees enter well-paying healthcare careers.
