Head-to-head comparison
Drake University vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Option A Des Moines, IA
Drake University
- Net price / year
- $29,127
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,901
- Payback
- 4.9 yrs
Option B Des Moines, IA
Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Net price / year
- $26,924
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,234
- Payback
- 7.8 yrs
Drake University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,508 in 4.9 years versus 7.8 years at Mercy College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $71,901 vs $62,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Drake University | Mercy College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,127 | $26,924 |
| Total net cost | $116,508 | $107,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,901 | $62,234 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $14,745 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $354,312 | $169,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Drake University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences, at $26,924 a year after aid versus $29,127 — a gap of $2,203 a year, or $8,812 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Drake University or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Drake University graduates report a median $71,901 ten years after entry, $9,667 more than the $62,234 at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Drake University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Drake University, a difference of $8,255. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Drake University, against 66% at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.