Mercer vs. The New School

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with The New School in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than The New School based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 9,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); The New School is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The New School is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; The New School 9:1.

Mercer vs. The New School Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or The New School? 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 The New School ($24,364 vs. $67,224).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 40.2% lower than at The New School ($15,156 vs. $25,337).
• The New School is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $16,382 more per year; $58,694.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at The New School than at Mercer University (about $16,382 more per year; $58,694.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at The New School (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 52.5% larger than aid received by The New School students ($33,808 vs. $22,174).

Mercer vs. The New School Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or The New School? 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 The New School and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 10 points higher than at The New School (1250).
• Incoming Mercer students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at The New School (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; The New School 1140/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; The New School 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; The New School - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at The New School (3.59).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than The New School (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 21.3% at The New School.

Mercer vs. The New School Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and The New School? 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 New School's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than The New School graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $52,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The New School graduates have a $1,128 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($23,872 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, The New School graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More The New School 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.