Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Mercy College of Health Sciences

Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates enter the workforce earning $55,912—about $4,500 more than the typical Iowa graduate in this field and slightly above the national median. Among Iowa's 16 allied health programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it squarely in the competitive middle tier, though still trailing community college options like Southeastern and DMACC.

The concerning element here is the debt load combined with flat earnings. At $31,000, graduates carry significantly more debt than peers at other Iowa schools (where the median is $21,945), yet see virtually no income growth between year one and year four. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is manageable but leaves little margin for error, especially when you're not seeing the salary progression that typically justifies higher educational costs. The 5th percentile national debt ranking confirms this program is among the most expensive for this credential.

For parents, this comes down to a simple calculation: you're paying roughly $10,000 more than comparable Iowa programs for outcomes that are only modestly better initially and show no advantage over time. If your child can access one of the community college alternatives—which cost less and sometimes deliver higher earnings—that's almost certainly the smarter financial path. Only choose Mercy if location or specific program features make the premium worthwhile to your family, understanding you're trading higher debt for marginal near-term gains.