Georgia vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Georgia in Athens, GA with Mercer University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Georgia is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (43,146 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• University of Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Georgia 17:1; Mercer University 11:1.

Georgia vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 Georgia than Mercer ($16,662 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 23% lower than at Mercer University ($11,672 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 269.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $30,862 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at Mercer than at University of Georgia (about $10,624 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of Georgia (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 189.6% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($33,808 vs. $11,674).

Georgia vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia 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 Georgia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Georgia (1380) is 120 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Georgia 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: University of Georgia 1270/1480; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 29/34; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Jan 1, 2027; Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Mercer (3.98).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Georgia (37.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.3% at Georgia vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

Georgia vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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 Georgia's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Georgia graduates have a $5,854 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($19,146 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($197 vs. $258).
• More Georgia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.