Mercer vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Mercer vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Davidson? 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 Mercer University than Davidson ($24,364 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 11.4% lower than at Davidson College ($15,156 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 52.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $22,098 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at Davidson than at Mercer University (about $22,098 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Davidson College (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($51,755 vs. $33,808).

Mercer vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 210 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Mercer).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Davidson (3.81).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Mercer vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Davidson? 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.