Mercer vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Meredith College is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Meredith College 10:1.

Mercer vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Meredith? 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 Meredith College than Mercer ($24,323 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 12.4% lower than at Mercer University ($13,280 vs. $15,156).
• Meredith College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $3,318 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Meredith than at Mercer University (about $3,318 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University as at Meredith College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Meredith College students ($33,808 vs. $33,116).

Mercer vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

Mercer vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Meredith? 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).

• Mercer University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercer University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercer graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.