Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Mount Mercy University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,345

Est. from national median (262 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$33,345

Est. from national median (101 programs)

Analysis

Mount Mercy's healthcare administration program sits in an unusual spot: peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $44,300, yet other Iowa schools report graduates earning $47,000 to nearly $50,000—a meaningful gap when considering a projected debt load of $33,300. The state comparison matters here because healthcare administration salaries often reflect regional market rates, and Iowa's median of $48,400 for this credential suggests the national estimate may understate what's achievable locally.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 looks manageable on paper, falling below the concerning 1.0 threshold where annual debt equals annual income. However, if similar Iowa programs truly produce the higher earnings their data suggests, Mount Mercy graduates may need to understand why their outcomes might differ—whether that's due to the school's smaller network in Cedar Rapids healthcare systems, different curriculum focus, or simply the noise that comes from small graduate cohorts.

The honest limitation here is that we're comparing Mount Mercy's estimated figures against peer schools' actual reported outcomes. For a parent, the practical question becomes: are you comfortable with $33,000 in debt when you can't verify what Mount Mercy's specific graduates actually earn? The Iowa benchmark suggests strong demand for these skills statewide, but until this program grows large enough for the DOE to report its actual outcomes, you're essentially betting on the average rather than knowing this school's particular track record.

Where Mount Mercy University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids	$39,070	$44,345*	—	$33,345*	—
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette	$19,000	$49,916*	$48,747	$46,649*	0.93
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$46,923*	—	$27,086*	0.58
National Median	—	$44,345*	—	$30,998*	0.70

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

$103,960/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mount Mercy University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 262 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.