Students at Mercy College of Ohio achieve earnings that far exceed what similar students earn at comparable institutions, reflecting exceptional value in healthcare education.
The college's specialized focus on nursing and health services creates direct pathways to well-paying professional careers with strong long-term growth potential.
Mercy College of Ohio is a specialized healthcare institution that delivers exceptional value for students pursuing nursing and health services careers. While small in scale, the college consistently produces graduates who earn significantly more than expected—about $17,300 above what similar students achieve at comparable institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage reflects the college's laser focus on high-demand healthcare fields and its ability to prepare students for immediate entry into well-paying professional roles.
Nearly half of students are first-generation college attendees, and about 36% receive Pell Grants, yet completion rates for low-income students actually exceed those of higher-income peers in some cases. The college's specialized mission creates a unique environment where students from diverse backgrounds can access direct pathways to stable, well-compensated healthcare careers. With median 10-year earnings of $65,409 and particularly strong outcomes in nursing programs, graduates see meaningful returns on their educational investment.
As a private nonprofit institution in Toledo, Mercy College combines the personal attention of a small college with the professional focus of a specialized healthcare training program. The college's concentrated program portfolio—primarily nursing and health services—means students benefit from deep industry connections, clinical partnerships, and faculty expertise that translates directly into career readiness and strong employment outcomes.
Mercy College of Ohio's program portfolio is intentionally focused on high-demand healthcare specialties that lead directly to well-paying professional careers. Adult Health Nursing dominates the college's offerings with 139 graduates earning median 10-year salaries of $60,585, making it both the largest program and the highest aggregate return generator. This concentration reflects the college's strategic focus on nursing specialties where demand consistently exceeds supply and career advancement opportunities are abundant.
Health Services/Allied Health programs, with 57 graduates, complement the nursing focus by preparing students for supporting roles in healthcare systems. These graduates earn median salaries of $50,439, still well above national averages for similar fields and reflecting the college's ability to prepare students for professional-level positions rather than entry-level healthcare roles.
The college's narrow but deep program focus creates significant advantages for students and employers alike. Students benefit from specialized faculty expertise, extensive clinical partnerships, and curriculum designed specifically for Ohio's healthcare market. Employers recognize Mercy College graduates as job-ready professionals who require minimal additional training, contributing to strong employment rates and rapid career advancement for graduates across all programs.
Graduates of Mercy College of Ohio achieve strong financial outcomes that significantly exceed expectations for similar institutions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $65,409, placing the college in the top 20% nationally for long-term earnings. More impressive is the college's value-added performance—graduates earn about $17,300 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings beyond expectations advantages among specialized healthcare colleges.
The college's focused program portfolio drives these strong outcomes. Adult Health Nursing, the largest program with 139 graduates, produces median 10-year earnings of $60,585 and represents the highest aggregate return among all programs. Health Services/Allied Health programs, with 57 graduates, generate median earnings of $50,439, still well above national averages for similar fields. This concentration in high-demand healthcare specialties ensures that virtually all graduates enter fields with strong job security, competitive starting salaries, and clear advancement pathways.
The college's specialized healthcare focus creates particularly strong early-career momentum. Six-year earnings of $61,877 demonstrate that graduates quickly establish themselves in professional roles, with earnings growth continuing through the 10-year mark. This trajectory reflects both the immediate employability of healthcare graduates and the college's success in preparing students for roles that offer both stability and upward mobility in Ohio's healthcare market.
Mercy College of Ohio maintains relatively affordable pricing across income levels, with net costs that remain manageable for most families. Low-income students pay about $14,821 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $15,609, and higher-income students pay approximately $17,382. This compressed pricing structure means that the college remains accessible regardless of family income, with only modest increases as income rises.
Debt levels are reasonable given the strong earning potential in healthcare fields. Typical graduates leave with about $20,834 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount considering median 10-year earnings of $65,409. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $14,917, reflecting moderate family contributions that complement rather than overwhelm student borrowing. The college's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates consistently manage their debt obligations successfully, likely due to the stable employment prospects in healthcare careers.
What makes the debt particularly sustainable is the immediate earning potential in nursing and health services. Healthcare graduates typically find employment quickly after graduation, often with starting salaries that make standard loan repayment comfortable. The college's focus on high-demand specialties means students aren't gambling on uncertain job markets—they're investing in careers with clear pathways to financial stability and growth.
Mercy College Of Ohio Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
