Mercer vs. SCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Savannah College of Art and Design is in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1.

Mercer vs. SCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or SCAD? 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 SCAD ($24,364 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 16.4% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($15,156 vs. $18,123).
• Mercer University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $682 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Mercer than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $682 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Savannah College of Art and Design (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 162.4% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($33,808 vs. $12,884).

Mercer vs. SCAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 110 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; SCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 26.4% at SCAD.

Mercer vs. SCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and SCAD? 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).

• Savannah College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercer University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercer graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More SCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.