Florida State vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Florida State vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 Florida State University than Mercer ($15,815 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 11.1% lower than at Mercer University ($13,474 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 648.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $36,656 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.2% higher at Mercer than at Florida State University (about $23,526 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Florida State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 264.3% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($33,808 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 80 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Mercer).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State 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 Florida State (3.7).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Florida State vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($20,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($214 vs. $258).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.