UCF vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Mercer University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Mercer University 11:1.

UCF vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Mercer? 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 Central Florida than Mercer ($13,351 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 17.8% lower than at Mercer University ($12,452 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 564.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $35,944 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.3% higher at Mercer than at University of Central Florida (about $19,845 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of Central Florida (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 248.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($33,808 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 20 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

UCF vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Mercer? 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 Central Florida's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $6,730 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($18,270 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($188 vs. $258).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.