Mercer vs. Georgia Gwinnett College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia Gwinnett College is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (12,230 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Georgia Gwinnett College is in Lawrenceville, GA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Gwinnett College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Georgia Gwinnett College 19:1.

Mercer vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Georgia Gwinnett 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 Georgia Gwinnett College than Mercer ($15,225 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 0.4% lower than at Georgia Gwinnett College ($15,156 vs. $15,220).
• Mercer University is 833.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Gwinnett College (about $37,780 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $4,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.6% higher at Mercer than at Georgia Gwinnett College (about $28,468 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $13,844.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Georgia Gwinnett College (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 386.9% larger than aid received by Georgia Gwinnett College students ($33,808 vs. $6,944).

Mercer vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Georgia Gwinnett 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 Georgia Gwinnett College and Mercer.

• Georgia Gwinnett College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 200 points higher than at Georgia Gwinnett College (1060).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 20 at Georgia Gwinnett College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Georgia Gwinnett College 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Georgia Gwinnett College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Georgia Gwinnett College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Georgia Gwinnett College May 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Georgia Gwinnett College (2.88).
• Georgia Gwinnett College has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 44.5% at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Mercer vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Georgia Gwinnett 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates have a $5,125 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($19,875 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More Mercer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Gwinnett College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 30%)

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.