UNF vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Florida is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (16,154 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• University of North 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 North Florida 19:1; Mercer University 11:1.

UNF vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 North Florida than Mercer ($11,135 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 22.1% lower than at Mercer University ($11,810 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 562.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $35,923 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.5% higher at Mercer than at University of North Florida (about $21,519 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of North Florida (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 260.5% larger than aid received by University of North Florida students ($33,808 vs. $9,377).

UNF vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 90 points higher than at UNF (1170).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UNF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at UNF (3.89).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

UNF vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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).

• Mercer University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of North Florida's (50%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than UNF graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($165 vs. $258).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.