Mercer vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Asheville is in Asheville, NC (Small City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1.

Mercer vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville than Mercer ($13,798 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 7.7% lower than at Mercer University ($13,992 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 464.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $34,811 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at Mercer than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $17,463 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of North Carolina Asheville (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 340% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($33,808 vs. $7,683).

Mercer vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 10 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

Mercer vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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).

• University of North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $4,359 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($20,641 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.