Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Mercy College of Health Sciences has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 905 in Des Moines, IA.

Program Analysis

At $63,867/yr, Nursing graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 19.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $25,204 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #877 out of 947 programs, Mercy College of Health Sciences's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $63,867/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$64K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
19.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$34,656
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,204
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,453
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mercy College of Health Sciences

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mercy College of Health Sciences's Nursing program score?
A score of 69/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Mercy College of Health Sciences trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Mercy College of Health Sciences's 69/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Beyond Mercy College of Health Sciences's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Nursing graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences find jobs?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →