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Overview |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
| Location | Macon, GA | Columbia, SC | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 8,889 | 35,653 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #236 | #208 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mercer.edu | sc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $39,408 | $12,288 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $39,408 | $33,528 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,046 | $11,780 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,087 | $22,427 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,740 | $6,880 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 98% |
Admission |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,556 | 42,188 | ||
| Admitted | 5,643 | 27,022 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.7% | 64.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.9% | 24.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.98 | 3.69 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 26/31 | 27/32 | ||
| SAT Range | 1190/1360 | 1180/1380 | ||
| 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 | Dec 1, 2024 |
Academics |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 60% | 70% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,300 | $51,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 45% | 69% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $23,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $240 |
Diversity |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 33% | 42% | ||
| % Women | 67% | 58% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 48% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 31% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 1% |
Students |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 86% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 13% | 47% | ||
Campus |
Mercer | UofSC | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than than Mercer based on total student enrollment (35,653 students vs. 8,889 students)
Mercer vs. UofSC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Mercer or UofSC?
- Mercer University is 220.7% more expensive to attend than UofSC for in-state tuition ($39,408.00 vs. $12,288.00)
- Out of state tuition is 17.5% higher at Mercer than University of South Carolina Columbia ($39,408.00 vs. $33,528.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than UofSC ($22,087 vs. $22,427)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 19.2% lower than costs at Mercer University ($11,780 vs. $14,046)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University than University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 390.4% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($33,740 vs. $6,880)
Mercer vs. UofSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or UofSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UofSC or Mercer .
- The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 3 points higher than at Mercer (1217)
- Incoming UofSC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Mercer (27)
- Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at UofSC (3.69)
- Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than UofSC (64.1%)
Mercer vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Mercer or UofSC? 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 UofSC and Mercer.
- The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than Mercer University (70% vs. 60%)
- Graduates from Mercer University earn on average $5,600 more per year than UofSC graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $51,700)
- University of South Carolina Columbia students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Mercer graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
- UofSC graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Mercer graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
- More UofSC 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/