Covenant College vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, 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 Covenant College based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,100 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Covenant College is located in Lookout Mountain, GA (Large Suburban setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Covenant College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Covenant College 13:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Covenant College vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Covenant 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 Covenant College ($24,364 vs. $27,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Covenant College are 15.8% lower than at Mercer University ($12,754 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Covenant College (about $272 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $42,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Mercer than at Covenant College (about $272 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $42,040.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Covenant College as at Mercer University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Covenant College students ($33,808 vs. $29,720).

Covenant College vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Covenant College (1270) is 10 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Covenant College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Covenant College 1160/1380; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Covenant College 23/30; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Covenant College - Test optional; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Covenant College Mar 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Covenant College (3.7).
• Covenant College has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.6% at Covenant College vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Covenant College vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Covenant 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 Covenant College's (51%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Covenant College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Covenant College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Covenant College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Covenant College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.