Mercer vs. KSU

Deciding between Mercer University and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Mercer University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • Mercer Small City
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Mercer 9,196
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mercer #201
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mercer -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • Mercer Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mercer
  • KSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • Mercer $15,156
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • Mercer $24,364
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mercer $33,808
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mercer 100%
  • KSU 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Mercer 9,813
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • Mercer 6,760
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mercer 1260
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mercer 28
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mercer 3.98
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mercer A
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mercer Difficult
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mercer Low
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Mercer 25/31
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Mercer 1160/1350
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mercer Required
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mercer 11:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • KSU

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mercer 60%
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mercer $57,300
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mercer 45%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mercer $25,000
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mercer $258
  • KSU $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mercer 34%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • Mercer 66%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mercer High
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • Mercer No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • Mercer 48%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • Mercer 6%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • Mercer 31%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mercer 5%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • Mercer 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mercer 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mercer 3%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • Mercer 3%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mercer 5%
  • KSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mercer 85%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mercer 14%
  • KSU 1%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Mercer Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Mercer No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • Mercer Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Mercer Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Mercer No
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 9,196 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

Mercer vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or KSU? 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 Kennesaw State University than Mercer ($15,636 vs. $24,364).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kennesaw State University are 12.3% lower than at Mercer University ($13,287 vs. $15,156).
  • Mercer University is 628.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $36,504 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $5,808.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 138.6% higher at Mercer than at Kennesaw State University (about $24,576 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $17,736.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Kennesaw State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 311.1% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($33,808 vs. $8,223).

Mercer vs. KSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or KSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KSU and Mercer.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 150 points higher than at KSU (1110).
  • Incoming Mercer students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 22 at KSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercer University 1160/1350; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercer University 25/31; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Mercer students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at KSU (3.33).
  • KSU has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than Mercer (68.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 38% at KSU.

Mercer vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and KSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • Mercer University's six-year graduation rate is 60%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for KSU.
  • Graduates from Mercer University have median earnings of about $57,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for KSU.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($21,200 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($219 vs. $258).
  • More KSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.