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Overview |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
| Location | Macon, GA | Potsdam, NY | ||
| Setting | Small City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 8,889 | 3,719 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #236 | #220 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mercer.edu | clarkson.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $39,408 | $54,960 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $39,408 | $54,960 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,046 | $16,744 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,087 | $32,450 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,740 | $41,285 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,556 | 6,594 | ||
| Admitted | 5,643 | 5,171 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.7% | 78.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.9% | 11.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.98 | 3.8 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 26/31 | 25/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1190/1360 | 1190/1370 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jul 1, 2025 | Jan 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
| Graduation Rate | 60% | 72% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,300 | $70,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 45% | 86% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $279 |
Diversity |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 33% | 64% | ||
| % Women | 67% | 36% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 48% | 84% | ||
| % Black | 31% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 2% |
Students |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 86% | 65% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 13% | 31% | ||
Campus |
Mercer | Clarkson | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Mercer University is larger than than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 3,719 students)
Mercer vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Clarkson?
- Clarkson University is 39.5% more expensive to attend than Mercer for in-state tuition ($54,960.00 vs. $39,408.00)
- Out of state tuition is 39.5% higher at Clarkson than Mercer University ($54,960.00 vs. $39,408.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than Clarkson ($22,087 vs. $32,450)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 19.2% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($14,046 vs. $16,744)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University as Clarkson University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 22.4% larger than aid received Mercer University ($41,285 vs. $33,740)
Mercer vs. Clarkson Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Clarkson? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Clarkson or Mercer .
- The average SAT score at Mercer University (1217) is 19 points higher than at Clarkson (1198)
- Incoming Mercer students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at Clarkson (27)
- Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Clarkson (3.8)
- Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Mercer (74.7%)
Mercer vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Mercer or Clarkson? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Clarkson and Mercer.
- The graduation rate at Clarkson is higher than Mercer University (72% vs. 60%)
- Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $13,500 more per year than Mercer graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $57,300)
- Mercer University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarkson graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- Mercer graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Clarkson graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
- More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 45%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/