Mercy College of Health Sciences

Every program here smells faintly of antiseptic—this is a trade school at heart, where 49% of students study nursing and another 28% train as EMTs. The curriculum is lean and clinical: associate degrees dominate (Medical Assistant, EMT), but the Bachelor of Health Science for pre-med tracks stands out for its articulation agreements with graduate programs. Faculty are recruited from MercyOne hospitals, bringing war stories from ICU shifts rather than theoretical research. The payoff? A #5 ranking in Iowa for 40-year ROI ($980,000 net present value) and accelerated timelines—many programs can be completed in under two years.

• Top Majors: Nursing (49%), EMT/Paramedic (28%), Medical Assistant (83 students)
• Signature Program: Bachelor of Health Science (Pre-Health Professions)
• Faculty Edge: Active clinicians teach 90% of courses

Don't expect raucous tailgates—the downtown Des Moines campus serves commuters squeezing classes between hospital shifts. But Mercy cultivates community through required service learning (15+ hours for degree candidates) and niche clubs like the Student Diversity Organization, where future nurses dissect healthcare disparities. Housing? Nonexistent. School spirit? Channeled into skills competitions like mock code blues. The Facebook page tells the story: posts alternate between job fair announcements and student spotlights ('Meet Brandon, who balanced EMT training with night shifts at UnityPoint Health').

Mercy graduates don't linger in unemployment lines—they're snapped up by the very hospitals where they trained. Median earnings hit $57,497 within four years (adjusted for inflation), ranking #6 in Iowa. The College Scorecard shows 1-year post-grad earnings at $36,427, but that jumps sharply as students complete licensure exams. Caveat: 10-year ROI trails national averages ($99,000), reflecting the ceiling on allied health salaries without advanced degrees. Still, for central Iowans seeking immediate work, it's a reliable bet—93% of nursing grads pass the NCLEX on first attempt.

At $24,606 average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after aid), Mercy undercuts Iowa's public universities—but sticker shock still hits low-income students. The financial aid arsenal includes federal grants (88% of students qualify) and Mercy-specific scholarships like the $2,500 'Sister Mary Thomas Award' for single parents. Pro tip: The net price calculator reveals stark disparities—a family earning $30k pays ~$15k, while those at $110k+ face full freight. Books and scrubs add $1,200/year, but accelerated programs (some degrees in 18 months) trim opportunity costs.

Mercy College is the antithesis of the bloated university—it's a precision tool for Iowans who need credentials, not ivy. Three things define it: speed (degrees in as few as 5 semesters), proximity (clinical rotations at MercyOne next door), and pragmatism (every syllabus is vetted by working nurses). The 100% acceptance rate?Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. isn't a lack of standards—it's a bet that determination matters more than transcripts. When the Des Moines Register reports ER shortages, Mercy is already adjusting cohort sizes. This isn't Harvard; it's the tradeschool equivalent of a trauma bay—no frills, just results.