Mercer vs. UNCSA

Should I go to Mercer University or University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mercer or UNCSA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Mercer University vs. University of North Carolina School of the Arts comparison
Mercer University University of North Carolina School of the Arts College 3 College 4
Mercer University University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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Overview

Mercer UNCSA
Location Macon, GA Winston-Salem, NC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 8,889 1,104
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #236 #291
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mercer.edu uncsa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mercer UNCSA
Tuition (In State) $39,408 $6,497
Tuition (Out of State) $39,408 $23,731
Room & Board $14,046 $12,902
Avg Net Price $22,087 $11,251
Avg Grant Aid $33,740 $10,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 69%

Admission

Mercer UNCSA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,556 1,139
Admitted 5,643 362
Acceptance Rate 74.7% 31.8%
Enrolled % 15.9% 58%
Avg High School GPA 3.98 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 26/31 22/30
SAT Range 1190/1360 1115/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025 Mar 15, 2025

Academics

Mercer UNCSA
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Human Services (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

Mercer UNCSA
Graduation Rate 60% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,300 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Mercer UNCSA
% Men 33% 41%
% Women 67% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 72%
% Black 31% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Mercer UNCSA
% In-State 86% 43%
% Out-of-State 13% 52%

Campus

Mercer UNCSA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mercer University is larger than than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 1,104 students)

Mercer vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or UNCSA?

  • Mercer University is 506.6% more expensive to attend than UNCSA for in-state tuition ($39,408.00 vs. $6,497.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.1% higher at Mercer than University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($39,408.00 vs. $23,731.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than Mercer ($11,251 vs. $22,087)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 8.9% lower than costs at Mercer University ($12,902 vs. $14,046)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University than University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 210.5% larger than aid received University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($33,740 vs. $10,868)

Mercer vs. UNCSA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or UNCSA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNCSA or Mercer .

  • The average SAT score at Mercer University (1217) is 109 points higher than at UNCSA (1108)
  • Incoming Mercer students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at UNCSA (24)
  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at UNCSA (3.75)
  • Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than UNCSA (31.8%)

Mercer vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mercer or UNCSA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNCSA and Mercer.

  • The graduation rate at Mercer is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts (60% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Mercer University earn on average $18,200 more per year than UNCSA graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $39,100)
  • Mercer University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than UNCSA graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Mercer graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than UNCSA graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More UNCSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/