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Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA · City · 867 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$26,924
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
56%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$62,234
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,582 typical
100%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
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 & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$17,664
Books & supplies$2,328
Cost of attendance$34,398
Average net price$26,924
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$17,664
Books & supplies$2,328
Cost of attendance$34,398
Average net price$26,924
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$24,171
$30–48k
$27,533
$48–75k
$29,193
$75–110k
$26,615
$110k+
$29,953
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
56%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
67%
Back for yr 2
69%
Transferred
6%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
52% graduated · 24% transferred · 24% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$53,375
10 yrs after entry$62,234
Debt
Median at graduation$14,745
Monthly payment$156
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$25k
90th percentile$32,500
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
100%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
980
ACT midpoint
20
Comp 16–21 · E 14–20 · M 16–19

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Essay prompts

If Mercy College of Health Sciences asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 13%Women 87%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
7 : 1
Pell grant
34%
First-gen
35%
Family income
$41,783
Independent
54%
Age at entry
26.0
Part-time
61%
Race & ethnicity
White
64%
Hispanic
14%
Black
12%
Asian
6%
Two or more
1%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$53,375
After 10 yrs
$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
Resources
Endowment
$12M
Full-time faculty
39%
Faculty salary
$6,328/mo
Teaching spend
$9,862
per student
Federal loans
63%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — other health professions
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Mercy College of Health Sciences is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search