Emory vs. Mercer

Deciding between Emory University and Mercer University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Emory University
Mercer University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emory Atlanta, GA
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • Setting
  • Emory Large Suburban
  • Mercer Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emory 15,175
  • Mercer 9,196
  • Type
  • Emory Private 4 Year
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emory #28
  • Mercer #201
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emory United Methodist
  • Mercer -
  • Status
  • Emory Non-profit
  • Mercer Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emory
  • Mercer

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emory $64,280
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emory $64,280
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Room & Board
  • Emory $20,220
  • Mercer $15,156
  • Average Net Price
  • Emory $27,303
  • Mercer $24,364
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emory $56,319
  • Mercer $33,808
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emory 47%
  • Mercer 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emory 33,450
  • Mercer 9,813
  • Admitted
  • Emory 3,562
  • Mercer 6,760
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emory 10.6%
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Emory 40.4%
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emory 1510
  • Mercer 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emory 33
  • Mercer 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emory 3.8
  • Mercer 3.98
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emory A-
  • Mercer A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emory Elite
  • Mercer Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emory Very High
  • Mercer Low
  • ACT Range
  • Emory 32/35
  • Mercer 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Emory 1470/1550
  • Mercer 1160/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emory Test optional
  • Mercer Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Emory Jan 1, 2027
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emory 10:1
  • Mercer 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emory
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emory 90%
  • Mercer 60%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emory $81,500
  • Mercer $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emory 80%
  • Mercer 45%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emory $17,233
  • Mercer $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emory $178
  • Mercer $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emory 39%
  • Mercer 34%
  • % Women
  • Emory 61%
  • Mercer 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emory Very High
  • Mercer High
  • HBCU
  • Emory No
  • Mercer No
  • % White
  • Emory 41%
  • Mercer 48%
  • % Asian
  • Emory 19%
  • Mercer 6%
  • % Black
  • Emory 9%
  • Mercer 31%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emory 8%
  • Mercer 5%
  • % Native American
  • Emory 0%
  • Mercer 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emory 0%
  • Mercer 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emory 3%
  • Mercer 3%
  • % International
  • Emory 17%
  • Mercer 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emory 3%
  • Mercer 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emory 15%
  • Mercer 85%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emory 64%
  • Mercer 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Emory Yes
  • Mercer Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Emory No
  • Mercer No
  • Meal Plan
  • Emory Yes
  • Mercer Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Emory Yes
  • Mercer Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Emory Yes
  • Mercer No

Comparable Facts

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

Emory University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
  • Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Emory vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Emory ($24,364 vs. $27,303).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 25% lower than at Emory University ($15,156 vs. $20,220).
  • Emory University is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $21,968 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $42,312.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.9% higher at Emory than at Mercer University (about $21,968 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $42,312.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Emory University (100% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 66.6% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($56,319 vs. $33,808).

Emory vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory 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 Emory.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 250 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
  • Incoming Emory students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Mercer).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Mercer University 1160/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Mercer University 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Mercer - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Emory (3.8).
  • Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Emory (10.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Emory vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory 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).

  • Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
  • Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $7,767 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($17,233 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($178 vs. $258).
  • More Emory graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.