Mercy College of Health Sciences

Private · Moderately Selective · IA

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationIA · Midwest

SettingUrban

Undergrads867

Student:faculty7:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate66.7%

6-yr grad rate65.5%

Drop-out rate30.8%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$18k

Out-of-state tuition$18k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity35.8%

Gender diversity87.3%

International0%

IdentityRoman Catholic

Overview

Mercy College of Health Sciences, in Des Moines, is a small Catholic college devoted entirely to health-profession training, with nursing as its clear centerpiece alongside allied-health programs such as radiologic technology and health information management.

Academics

Programs are built around clinical training in partnership with the college's affiliated MercyOne medical center, giving students hospital-based experience earlier and more consistently than at a typical undergraduate nursing program. The curriculum is career-focused throughout, without the general breadth of a traditional liberal arts college.

Getting in

Because every program leads toward a specific health credential, admission is evaluated heavily on science preparation and, for nursing, often includes competitive selection into the program itself rather than just the college.

After graduation

Graduates typically move directly into clinical roles at MercyOne and other Des Moines-area hospitals and clinics, reflecting the college's close, long-standing partnership with the regional health system.

Worth knowing

This is a single-purpose health-sciences college rather than a comprehensive university - a good fit for someone certain about nursing or allied health, less so for someone still exploring majors.

mchs.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate99.7%

Enrolled mid-50%ACT 16–21

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Applying