Allied Health Professions at Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

With 99% of applicants admitted, Mercy College of Health Sciences prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 905 in Des Moines, IA.

Program Analysis

At $55,912 per year, Allied Health Professions graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn slightly above the $52,503 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 16.9x 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 — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Allied Health Professions graduates.

The median debt load of $19,614 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #636 out of 811 programs, Mercy College of Health Sciences's financial outcomes for Allied Health Professions trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Allied Health Professions, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $55,912/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$56K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
16.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$34,656
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,614
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,255
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health Professions graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Medical dosimetrists $138,110 +3.5% 55%
Physician assistants $133,260 +20.4% 83%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Medical dosimetrists
$138,110
+3.5% growth 55% AI-proof
Physician assistants
$133,260
+20.4% growth 83% AI-proof
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof

View all 19 career paths with full salary data →

Allied Health Professions Career Guide

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

Read the full Allied Health Professions career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health Professions Overview

Allied Health Professions 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 Allied Health Professions program score?
This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Allied Health Professions programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Allied Health Professions graduates?
If Mercy College of Health Sciences's tuition gives you pause, consider that 8 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Allied Health Professions. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Allied Health Professions graduates?
At 124,000 annual openings, Allied Health Professions 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 →