Florida Southern vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with Mercer University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Florida Southern vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern ($24,364 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 5.3% lower than at Mercer University ($14,360 vs. $15,156).
• Florida Southern College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $1,728 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Florida Southern than at Mercer University (about $1,728 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Mercer University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Florida Southern College students ($33,808 vs. $31,394).

Florida Southern vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 20 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Florida Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Florida Southern vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.