Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Mercy College of Health Sciences
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic college

Mercy College of Health Sciences

  • LocationDes Moines, IA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 907 students
  • SponsorReligious Sisters of Mercy
  • TraditionMercy
Official website

Mercy Health Sciences University is a Catholic institution in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, founded in 1899 in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy and focused on health sciences. Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall Chapel and a weekly interfaith prayer circle, and the bachelor's core requires one course in philosophy or religion.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Wednesday12:30 PMBrennan Hall Chapel · Weekly, as published on the campus ministry page.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Weekly Mass – Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, Brennan Hall Chapel”
    Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall Chapel.

Plan a campus visit Mass times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mercy College of Health Sciences, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Ambrose Cathedral: 0.4 mi1Basilica of Saint John: 1.0 mi2Visitation Catholic Church: 1.2 mi3St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and Student Center: 1.5 mi4Saint Anthony's Church: 1.6 mi5Saint Peter Catholic Church: 2.0 mi6Campus Ministry: 0.1 miMercy College of Health Sciences (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Ambrose Cathedral — 0.4 mi · 607 High Street, Des Moines
  2. Basilica of Saint John — 1.0 mi · 1915 University Avenue, Des Moines
  3. Visitation Catholic Church — 1.2 mi
  4. St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and Student Center — 1.5 mi · 1150 28th Street
  5. Saint Anthony's Church — 1.6 mi · 15 Indianola Road, Des Moines
  6. Saint Peter Catholic Church — 2.0 mi · 612 East 18th Street, Des Moines

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic year1–2 weekdays (One weekday Mass (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.) is published. Per the campus ministry page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass – Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, Brennan Hall Chapel”
      Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall Chapel.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priests serving studentsPart-time or visiting priest (A Mass schedule is published.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass – Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, Brennan Hall Chapel”
      Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall Chapel.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (1 weekly times documented: 1 Mass, 0 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).
FTheology and core curriculum: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

0 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (The bachelor's core requires 3 credits in Philosophy or Religion; no theology course is required of all students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, General Education Core Curriculum Requirementsmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a. Philosophy or Religion (3 credits)”
      The bachelor's core requires 3 credits in Philosophy or Religion, as one requirement.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)The requirement can be met with no Catholic theology content (The Philosophy or Religion requirement can be met with courses that are not specifically Catholic, such as PHI 120 Introduction to Philosophy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Humanities Course Listmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “REL 334 Comparative World Religions”
      Comparative World Religions is one of the courses that can satisfy the Philosophy or Religion requirement.
      “PHI 120 Introduction to Philosophy”
      Introduction to Philosophy is one of the courses that can satisfy the Philosophy or Religion requirement.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsNone required (Philosophy is one of two options; no philosophy course is required of all bachelor's students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, General Education Core Curriculum Requirementsmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a. Philosophy or Religion (3 credits)”
      The bachelor's core requires 3 credits in Philosophy or Religion, as one requirement.
      “PHI 120 Introduction to Philosophy”
      Introduction to Philosophy is one of the courses that can satisfy the Philosophy or Religion requirement.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNo (The core page describes the core values as rooted in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Requirements | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/academics/academic-programs/core-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “rooted in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy”
      The core requirements are described as rooted in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo (The bachelor's degree list and the minors list contain no theology or religious studies program.)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Academic Minorsmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Available Minors are:”
      The catalog lists the available minors, none of which is in theology or religious studies.
    2. Academic Programs | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/academics/academic-programs/core-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Health Science (Pre-Health Professions) Healthcare Administration Nursing: Accelerated BSN Nursing: BSN Nursing: RN to BSN Public Health”
      The bachelor's degree programs are listed; none is in theology or religious studies.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)One (One named ministry leader is listed (VP for Mission and Campus Culture, who handles spiritual advising). The catalog also refers to an unnamed Campus Minister position. Counted as one.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please email the VP for Mission and Campus Culture, Dr. Matthew Halbach.”
      Spiritual advising is arranged through the VP for Mission and Campus Culture.
    2. College Leadership | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/about/college-directory/college-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture”
      Matthew Halbach, PhD, is Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Single-sex residence optionsCoed housing only (The university does not own or operate student housing; no single-sex residence options are offered by the university.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Housing and Dining | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/student-support/housing-and-dining · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mercy Health Sciences University does not own or operate any student housing facilities.”
      The university does not own or operate student housing.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)No (The catalog states that the housing options listed are not owned or operated by the university.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Housing Optionsmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “which are not owned or operated by Mercy Health Sciences University”
      The housing options listed in the catalog are not owned or operated by the university.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityYes
    Sources (2)
    1. College Leadership | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/about/college-directory/college-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture”
      Matthew Halbach, PhD, is Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture.
    2. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please email the VP for Mission and Campus Culture, Dr. Matthew Halbach.”
      Spiritual advising is arranged through the VP for Mission and Campus Culture.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service or volunteer centerNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumRequired of all students
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Service Learningmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All associate or bachelor’s degree-seeking students are expected to participate in at least 15 hours of Service Learning in order to receive their degree.”
      All bachelor's students are required to complete at least 15 hours of service-learning.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)Two or more (Immersion trips include service with underserved populations (Pine Ridge, Yucatan) and health services at central Iowa shelters.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Study Abroad & Immersion Trips | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/study-abroad-immersion-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Providing healthcare support at the Central Iowa Shelter & Services to the underserved population”
      Immersion experiences include healthcare support at a central Iowa shelter for an underserved population.
      “You’ll have the opportunity to serve a marginalized population”
      The Yucatan immersion includes service to a marginalized population.
      “Participate in the Pine Ridge immersion experience”
      A Pine Ridge immersion experience is offered, with service to the local community.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Service Learningmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Service-learning builds upon the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy”
      The service-learning requirement is framed by the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy.
      “witness to and promote the Church’s social teaching and moral principles”
      The catalog's Catholic identity statement commits the university to promote the Church's social teaching.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on campus in Brennan Hall Chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass – Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, Brennan Hall Chapel”
      Campus Ministry publishes a weekly Mass on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall Chapel.
  • All bachelor's students must complete at least 15 hours of service-learning.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, Service Learningmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All associate or bachelor’s degree-seeking students are expected to participate in at least 15 hours of Service Learning in order to receive their degree.”
      All bachelor's students are required to complete at least 15 hours of service-learning.
  • The university's Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture leads campus ministry advising and the mission office.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please email the VP for Mission and Campus Culture, Dr. Matthew Halbach.”
      Spiritual advising is arranged through the VP for Mission and Campus Culture.
    2. College Leadership | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/about/college-directory/college-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture”
      Matthew Halbach, PhD, is Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture.
  • Immersion trips include service with underserved populations, including health services at central Iowa shelters.
    Sources (1)
    1. Study Abroad & Immersion Trips | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/study-abroad-immersion-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Providing healthcare support at the Central Iowa Shelter & Services to the underserved population”
      Immersion experiences include healthcare support at a central Iowa shelter for an underserved population.
      “You’ll have the opportunity to serve a marginalized population”
      The Yucatan immersion includes service to a marginalized population.

Concerns

  • The bachelor's core requires one course in philosophy or religion, and no theology course is required of all students.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Catalog, General Education Core Curriculum Requirementsmercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a. Philosophy or Religion (3 credits)”
      The bachelor's core requires 3 credits in Philosophy or Religion, as one requirement.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry

  • Address: 928 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: Brennan Hall Chapel

View on map ↗

Source: mercyhealthu.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mercyhealthu.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 3 location not published

Service 2

  • Pine Ridge immersion experienceOff campus
    Immersion experience at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, with service at the tribal elementary school, nursing school, and community center.
    mercyhealthu.edu
  • Yucatan immersion tripOff campus
    Immersion trip to the Yucatan that includes service to a marginalized population.
    mercyhealthu.edu

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekly Interfaith Prayer CircleOn campus
    Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
    Weekly interfaith prayer gathering at the Wooden Cross in Brennan Hall. Campus Ministry lists it; its prayers are read during the weekly Mass.
    mercyhealthu.edu
  • Prayer requests
    Students may submit prayer intentions through an online form. Intentions are read during the weekly Mass and interfaith prayer circle.
    mercyhealthu.edu

Faith formation 2

  • Faith and Healing Speaker Series
    To be determined
    Speaker series that explores topics of faith, healing, and wellness, highlighting Catholic theology and practice.
    mercyhealthu.edu, mercyhealthu.edu
  • Spiritual advising
    By appointment
    Spiritual advising arranged through the VP for Mission and Campus Culture.
    mercyhealthu.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Health Sciences Universitymercyhealthu.edu/experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Based in Brennan Hall, Campus Ministry offers a warm and welcoming place”
    Campus Ministry is based in Brennan Hall.
    “promotes the institution’s Catholic Christian values with retreats, service, friendship, and prayer”
    Campus Ministry describes retreats, service, friendship, and prayer as part of its work.
    “Based in Brennan Hall, Campus Ministry offers a warm and welcoming place”
    Campus Ministry is based in Brennan Hall.
  2. 2026-2027 Catalog, Covermercyhealthu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-2027-Catalog-7.0-October-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “928 6th Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309”
    The university's published address is 928 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Reach out

Contact details for Matthew Halbach, PhD (Vice President for Mission and Campus Culture) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
65 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.66%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.69%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 980 · ACT 18.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.7 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$9,862

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Campus facts

SettingCity
Students per faculty member7 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
905
Total students907
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$26,924
Cost of attendance (per year)$34,398
Median federal debt at graduation$14,745
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
66%
First-year retention69%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$62,234
Admission rate100%
Students receiving Pell grants34%
Admitted students’ middle range:ACT 16–21
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT980
SAT reading & writing—
SAT math—
ACT composite16–21
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 60 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Des Moines

The Most Reverend William M. Joensen, Bishop of Des Moines

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dmdiocese.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Mercy College of Health Sciences a Catholic college?
Yes. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a Catholic college in the Diocese of Des Moines. Its sponsor is Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Where is Mass celebrated at Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mass is listed at Brennan Hall Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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