Mercer vs. Centre College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Centre College in Danville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than Centre College based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Centre College is in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Centre College 10:1.

Mercer vs. Centre College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Centre College? 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 Centre College than Mercer ($23,860 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centre College are 3.4% lower than at Mercer University ($14,640 vs. $15,156).
• Centre College is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $10,508 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at Centre College than at Mercer University (about $10,508 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University as at Centre College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($44,015 vs. $33,808).

Mercer vs. Centre College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Centre College? 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 Centre College and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centre College (1310) is 50 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Mercer students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Centre College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Centre College 1160/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Centre College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Centre College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Centre College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Centre College (54.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 19.4% at Centre College.

Mercer vs. Centre College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Centre College? 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).

• Centre College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercer University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercer graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Centre College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.