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Mercy College of Health Sciences : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Mercy College of Health Sciences

Fun fact: Mercy College of Health Sciences sits in the heart of downtown Des Moines, so classrooms and clinical sites feel close to real life. The college is known for focused, hands-on learning across patient care, community health, and healthcare operations. Students train in simulation and skills labs, study in quiet nooks, and get practical help from advising, tutoring, and wellness services that feel approachable.

Campus life is tight-knit and professional but not stiff. You'll find service projects, student organizations tied to health disciplines, and low-key socials that fit busy clinical schedules. The atmosphere leans collaborative, with a strong ethic of compassion and accountability. Career preparation centers on clinical placements, exam support, and connections with regional hospitals and clinics. And the city adds plenty more, from riverfront trails and coffee shops to public health agencies, arts venues, and volunteer opportunities. Pinning and white coat moments mark meaningful milestones.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location: 928 6th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, USA
Phone: +1 (515) 643-3180
Website: mchs.edu
Unit ID: 153977

Academic & Institutional

Control: Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation: HLC
Length of Study: Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System: Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Other Award
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research 4-Year Focus - Engineering
Campus Setting: Located in a midsize city (population between 100,000 and 249,999)
Tuition: In-state: $22,360 · Out-of-state: $22,360
Student Profile:
Total Students: 907
Undergraduate: 905
Graduate/Other: 2
Male: 134 Female: 773
Applications:
Total Applicants: 164
Admitted: 162
Enrolled: 79
Acceptance: 98.8% Yield: 48.8%
Staff:
Total: 206 Full-time: 118 Part-time: 88

Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects

Explore degree programs offered at Mercy College of Health Sciences with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Iowa. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.

How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in Iowa vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Health (14)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.0701 Health/Health Care Administration/Management. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to develop, plan, and manage health care operations and services within health care facilities and across health care systems. Includes instruction in planning, business management, financial management, public relations, human resources management, health care systems operation and management, health care resource allocation and policy making, health law and regulations, and applications to specific types of health care services.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers $137,730 $112,350 -$25,380 (-18.4%)
51.0801 Medical/Clinical Assistant. (Cert<2y, AltPostMSc)
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties including patient intake and care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, pre-examination and examination assistance, and the administration of medications and first aid. Includes instruction in basic anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; medical law and ethics; patient psychology and communications; medical office procedures; and clinical diagnostic, examination, testing, and treatment procedures.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
31-9092 Medical Assistants $44,720 $40,570 -$4,150 (-9.3%)
51.0806 Physical Therapy Assistant. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, behavioral sciences, biomechanics, clinical documentation, clinical pathology, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, and professional standards and ethics.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants $67,160 $61,290 -$5,870 (-8.7%)
51.0904 Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic). (Cert<1y, Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals, under the remote supervision of physicians, to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies in prehospital settings and to supervise Ambulance personnel. Includes instruction in basic, intermediate, and advanced EMT procedures; emergency surgical procedures; medical triage; rescue operations; crisis scene management and personnel supervision; equipment operation and maintenance; patient stabilization, monitoring, and care; drug administration; identification and preliminary diagnosis of diseases and injuries; communication and computer operations; basic anatomy, physiology, pathology, and toxicology; and professional standards and regulations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
29-2042 Emergency Medical Technicians $44,790 $46,610 +$1,820 (+4.1%)
29-2043 Paramedics $60,610 $53,280 -$7,330 (-12.1%)
51.0910 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to utilize medical ultrasound techniques to gather sonographic data used to diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases. Includes instruction in obtaining, reviewing, and integrating patient histories and data; patient instruction and care; anatomic, physiologic and pathologic data recording; sonographic data processing; sonography equipment operation; and professional standards and ethics.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
29-2032 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers $92,550 $87,880 -$4,670 (-5%)
51.0911 Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer. (Cert<2y)
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical imaging services to patients and attending health care professionals. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, patient positioning, radiographic technique, radiation biology, safety and emergency procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, quality assurance, patient education, and medical imaging/radiologic services management.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
29-2034 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians $79,760 $66,250 -$13,510 (-16.9%)
51.1005 Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist. (Cert<1y)
A program that prepares individuals to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments; manage clinical laboratories; and consult with physicians and clinical researchers on diagnoses, disease causation and spread, and research outcomes. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, physiological relationships to test results, laboratory procedures and quality assurance controls, test and research design and implementation, analytic techniques, laboratory management, data development and reporting, medical informatics, and professional standards and regulations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
29-2011 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists N/A N/A N/A
51.1102 Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in medicine, osteopathic medicine, or podiatric medicine.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
99-9999 NO MATCH N/A N/A N/A
51.2201 Public Health, General. (Cert2y+)
A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventive medicine, health policy and regulations, health care services and related administrative functions, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, public communications, and professional standards and ethics.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers $137,730 $112,350 -$25,380 (-18.4%)
21-1091 Health Education Specialists $71,700 $68,100 -$3,600 (-5%)
21-1094 Community Health Workers $55,970 $51,320 -$4,650 (-8.3%)
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $93,560 -$44,340 (-32.2%)
51.3801 Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. (Cert<2y, Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
A program that generally prepares individuals in the knowledge, techniques and procedures for promoting health, providing care for sick, disabled, infirmed, or other individuals or groups. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting a physician during treatments and examinations, Referring patients to physicians and other health care specialists, and planning education for health maintenance.

Graduate Career Earnings in Iowa

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Iowa Avg IA vs US
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $69,010 -$18,080 (-20.8%)
29-1141 Registered Nurses $98,430 $76,930 -$21,500 (-21.8%)

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$24,606
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$24,606
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,360
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,360
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$9,450 (off-campus)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$2,246
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$7,146 (off-campus)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$7,146
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$12,736
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$12,736
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

5%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$6,973
Avg. Loan
$12,247
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,769
Additional
Students with Any Grant
41
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
26
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
37
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$1,335
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

49%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
53%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$42,673 – $82,563
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$42,673 (25th %) $82,563 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $62,234
Median Salary After 6 Years
$53,375
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$62,234
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
67.6%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
81.9%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$14,745
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 62.3%
Middle 65.3%
High 79.5%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 74.0%
Independent 62.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Mercy College of Health Sciences

How much does it cost to attend Mercy College of Health Sciences?

The annual tuition at Mercy College of Health Sciences is $22,360 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $24,606 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $9,450 (off-campus) and books and supplies $2,246.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Mercy College of Health Sciences offer?

Mercy College of Health Sciences offers 19 academic programs across 1 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (14 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Mercy College of Health Sciences has an 98.8% acceptance rate and a 48.8% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 164
  • Students admitted: 162
  • Students enrolled: 79

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Mercy College of Health Sciences?

Mercy College of Health Sciences provides financial aid to 5% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,973 and average loans of $12,247.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,079
  • State/Local grants: $6,756
  • Institutional grants: $1,335
  • Federal loans: $5,769

The university supports 41 students with grants and 26 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates?

Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn a median salary of $53,375 after 6 years and $62,234 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $42,673 (25th percentile) to $82,563 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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