Berry College vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Berry College based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 2,484 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berry College is located in Mount Berry, GA (Rural Fringe setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Berry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berry College 12:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Berry College vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berry College 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 Berry College ($24,364 vs. $25,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berry College are 3.7% lower than at Mercer University ($14,590 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Berry College (about $626 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $41,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Mercer than at Berry College (about $626 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $41,686.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Berry College as at Mercer University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Berry College students ($33,808 vs. $31,615).

Berry College vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berry College 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 Berry College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Berry College (1230).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Berry College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berry College 1125/1330; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berry College 22/28; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berry College - Test optional; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berry College Jul 15, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Berry College (3.84).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Berry College (64%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Berry College vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Berry College vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berry College 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).

• Mercer University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Berry College's (57%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Berry College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berry College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Berry College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Berry College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.