Auburn vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Mercer University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Auburn vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Mercer? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than Auburn ($24,364 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 8.8% lower than at Auburn University ($15,156 vs. $16,626).
• Mercer University is 228.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $29,422 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Mercer than at Auburn University (about $7,390 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Auburn University (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 211% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($33,808 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Mercer? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercer and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 70 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Auburn students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Mercer (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Auburn (3.97).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Auburn vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Mercer? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.