Georgia College vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, 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 Georgia College based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 7,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia College & State University is located in Milledgeville, GA (Distant Town setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Georgia College & State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia College & State University 17:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Georgia College vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 Georgia College & State University than Mercer ($21,632 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia College & State University are 18.8% lower than at Mercer University ($12,302 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 360.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia College (about $33,126 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $9,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Mercer than at Georgia College & State University (about $12,800 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $29,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Georgia College & State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 289.8% larger than aid received by Georgia College & State University students ($33,808 vs. $8,673).

Georgia College vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 110 points higher than at Georgia College (1150).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Georgia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 1070/1230; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 22/26; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia College - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia College Apr 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Georgia College (3.53).
• Georgia College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Georgia College vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Georgia College vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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 Georgia College & State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Georgia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia College & State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More Georgia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.