TOLEDO—Enrollment at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio’s Toledo campus increased by nearly 15 percent from last year.

The health care college has a total of 1,104 students registered, which is an increase of 141 students from a year ago, according to John Hayward, president of Mercy College. He notes Mercy College offers numerous opportunities for students to quickly prepare for and enter the health care profession.

“We have committed to keeping our tuition and fees as low as possible,” he says. “Mercy has the lowest tuition among area private colleges and among the lowest when compared to the area’s four-year public colleges and universities. With students having many options to choose from, we are pleased that they see us as a great value for their educational dollar.”

Anticipated job growth in the health care industry has encouraged students to pursue health care careers. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 10 of the top 20 fastest-growing occupations are health care related, and the growth is sustainable. More than 244,000 health care jobs have been added since April 2009 — an average of 20,000 per month.

“We are especially pleased with the enrollment in new degree and certificate programs,” says Shelly McCoy Grissom, chief admissions officer of the college. “There continue to be great employment opportunities in health care, so students are willing to invest in their education with us. And, as part of Mercy, we have access to the area’s leading health care facilities, so our students don’t have lengthy waits to begin the clinical component of their degree programs.”