Mercer vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 9,196 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Mercer vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than Mercer ($21,648 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 11.9% lower than at Mercer University ($13,356 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 206.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $28,500 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Mercer than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $9,056 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 195.7% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($33,808 vs. $11,434).

Mercer vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Tennessee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 30 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Mercer students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Tennessee (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercer University 1160/1350; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercer University 25/31; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Mercer students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Mercer vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Tennessee? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.