Mercer vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Mercer vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Wake Forest? 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 Mercer University than Wake Forest ($24,364 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 18% lower than at Wake Forest University ($15,156 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 59.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $25,330 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at Wake Forest than at Mercer University (about $25,330 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 86.7% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($63,117 vs. $33,808).

Mercer vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 210 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Mercer).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Mercer vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.