Mercer vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Mercer vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University than Mercer ($18,478 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 14.9% lower than at Mercer University ($12,902 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 314.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $32,110 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at Mercer than at Mississippi State University (about $14,675 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Mississippi State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 144.1% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($33,808 vs. $13,852).

Mercer vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Mercer vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Mississippi State? 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).

• The graduation rate at Mercer is the same as at Mississippi State University (60% vs. 60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.