USF Main Campus vs. Mercer

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Mercer University is in Macon, GA (Small City setting).
• University of South 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 South Florida 22:1; Mercer University 11:1.

USF Main Campus vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus 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 South Florida than Mercer ($11,579 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 4.7% lower than at Mercer University ($14,440 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 560.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $35,902 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.2% higher at Mercer than at University of South Florida (about $24,988 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at University of South Florida (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 217.4% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($33,808 vs. $10,652).

USF Main Campus vs. Mercer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 30 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Mercer University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Mercer University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; Mercer - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 12.7% at Mercer.

USF Main Campus vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $5,853 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($19,147 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($197 vs. $258).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.