Mercer vs. TCU

Deciding between Mercer University and Texas Christian 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
Texas Christian University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • TCU Fort Worth, TX
  • Setting
  • Mercer Small City
  • TCU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mercer 9,196
  • TCU 12,938
  • Type
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • TCU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mercer #201
  • TCU #110
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mercer -
  • TCU Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Status
  • Mercer Non-profit
  • TCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mercer
  • TCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • TCU $61,740
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • TCU $61,740
  • Room & Board
  • Mercer $15,156
  • TCU $16,700
  • Average Net Price
  • Mercer $24,364
  • TCU $41,848
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mercer $33,808
  • TCU $34,975
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mercer 100%
  • TCU 80%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Mercer 9,813
  • TCU 22,307
  • Admitted
  • Mercer 6,760
  • TCU 9,925
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • TCU 44.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • TCU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mercer 1260
  • TCU 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mercer 28
  • TCU 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mercer 3.98
  • TCU 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mercer A
  • TCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mercer Difficult
  • TCU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mercer Low
  • TCU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Mercer 25/31
  • TCU 26/31
  • SAT Range
  • Mercer 1160/1350
  • TCU 1140/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mercer Required
  • TCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027
  • TCU Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mercer 11:1
  • TCU 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • TCU
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mercer 60%
  • TCU 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mercer $57,300
  • TCU $57,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mercer 45%
  • TCU 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mercer $25,000
  • TCU $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mercer $258
  • TCU $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mercer 34%
  • TCU 39%
  • % Women
  • Mercer 66%
  • TCU 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mercer High
  • TCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Mercer No
  • TCU No
  • % White
  • Mercer 48%
  • TCU 73%
  • % Asian
  • Mercer 6%
  • TCU 3%
  • % Black
  • Mercer 31%
  • TCU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mercer 5%
  • TCU 11%
  • % Native American
  • Mercer 0%
  • TCU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mercer 0%
  • TCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mercer 3%
  • TCU 0%
  • % International
  • Mercer 3%
  • TCU 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mercer 5%
  • TCU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mercer 85%
  • TCU 44%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mercer 14%
  • TCU 51%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
  • Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Mercer vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or TCU? 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 TCU ($24,364 vs. $41,848).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 9.2% lower than at Texas Christian University ($15,156 vs. $16,700).
  • Texas Christian University is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $19,428 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $42,312.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at TCU than at Mercer University (about $19,428 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $42,312.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Texas Christian University (100% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($34,975 vs. $33,808).

Mercer vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 10 points higher than at TCU (1250).
  • Incoming Mercer students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Texas Christian University 26/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; TCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at TCU (3.68).
  • Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than TCU (44.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Mercer vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and TCU? 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).

  • Texas Christian University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
  • Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($222 vs. $258).
  • More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.