Mercer vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Mercer vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 at Chapel Hill than Mercer ($10,154 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 8.9% lower than at Mercer University ($13,804 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 370.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $33,318 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Mercer than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $1,109 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (100% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 89.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($33,808 vs. $17,814).

Mercer vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 UNC Chapel Hill and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 200 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Mercer).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Mercer vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $8,521 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($16,479 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.