Georgia State vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• Georgia 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 State University 25:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Georgia State vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 Georgia State University than Mercer ($16,854 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 11.6% lower than at Mercer University ($13,392 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 388.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $33,648 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at Mercer than at Georgia State University (about $17,472 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Georgia State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 180.5% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($33,808 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 200 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Georgia State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 940/1180; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Georgia State vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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).

• Mercer University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Georgia State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Georgia State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia State University graduates have a $1,301 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($23,699 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More Mercer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.