Mercer University
Mercer University is a private nonprofit university in Macon, GA ranked #346 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B+, enrolling about 4,620 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 66.5%. Students most often pursue Accounting and Related Services and Engineering.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, 82.7% first-year retention, and 73.4% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $22,350, about $5,352 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -43.8%, roughly 129.1 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $50,231. That's about $6,543 higher than national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Mercer University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Mercer University graduates 73.4% of students within six years and keeps 82.7% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Mercer University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $40,890 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $14,528 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $2,864 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $56,494 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 33.3% of Mercer University students receive Pell Grants — slightly below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $18,650 to $26,399 depending on family income. Use Mercer University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $24,610/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $26,399/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $50,231
- 10-Year Median Earnings $50,231
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $17,655
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 46.6%
- Employment Rate 86.2%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Mercer University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Mercer University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Mercer University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Mercer University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Mercer University graduates earn $50,231 median, the -43.8% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 600-680
- SAT Math 580-670
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 25-31
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 4,620
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 82.7%
- Graduation Rate 73.4%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 13:1
How to Get Into Mercer University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Mercer University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 66.5%, Mercer University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 66.5% acceptance rate, Mercer University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1180 and 1350 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Mercer University undergraduates. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing, Engineering, General, and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods draw the most students.
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 12.7%
- Engineering, General 11.9%
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 7.0%
- Biology, General 5.7%
- Psychology, General 5.0%
- Public Health 4.2%
See more majors
- Marketing 3.2%
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 2.9%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Accounting and Related Services $98,559
- 2. Engineering, General $88,497
- 3. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $79,324
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Business/Commerce, General $67,314
- 5. Biology, General $67,149
- 6. Business Administration, Management and Operations $61,743
- 7. Social Sciences, General $61,612
- 8. Marketing $58,407
- 9. Criminal Justice and Corrections $57,832
- 10. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other $54,331
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Doctoral Degree) $155,399
- 2. Medicine (Doctoral Degree) $154,173
- 3. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degree) $137,803
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degree) $121,923
- 5. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing (Master's Degree) $117,641
- 6. Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degree) $116,850
- 7. Computer Engineering (Master's Degree) $114,008
- 8. Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degree) $99,841
- 9. Curriculum and Instruction (Doctoral Degree) $89,086
- 10. Law (Doctoral Degree) $86,479
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Accounting and Related Services grads earn $98,559—81% more than Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other ($54,331). Graduate: Health/Medical Preparatory Programs programs lead with $155,399 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Mercer University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degree, 150 graduates)
- Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degree, 146 graduates)
- Law (First Professional Degree, 121 graduates)
- Medicine (First Professional Degree, 117 graduates)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degree, 86 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (51 programs)▼
- Engineering, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Biology, General
- Public Health
- Marketing
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- English Language and Literature, General
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Political Science and Government
- Journalism
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Music
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
- Public Policy Analysis
- International Business
- History
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Information Science/Studies
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Design and Applied Arts
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
- Civil Engineering
- Area Studies
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- International/Global Studies
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Computational Science
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Online Master's Degrees (23 programs)▼
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Accounting and Related Services
- Biology, General
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Mechanical Engineering
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Engineering, Other
- Human Services, General
- Computer Engineering
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Music
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Civil Engineering
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Online Doctoral Degrees (7 programs)▼
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (6 programs)▼
- Education, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Online First Professional Degrees (5 programs)▼
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
- Law
- Medicine
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 4,620
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 35.5%
- Female Students 64.5%
- Caucasian 42.8%
- Asian 8.2%
- Hispanic 8.3%
- Black 31.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients 33.3%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Mercer University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Mercer University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Mercer University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Mercer University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Mercer University has a diverse student body, with 42.8% identifying as White. Women make up 64.5% of undergraduates.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Mercer University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Mercer University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Mercer University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -43.8% ROI. Ranked #346 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $22,350 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $50,231 median earnings. With 73.4% graduating within six years and 82.7% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Mercer University's Positioning
With a B+ grade and #346 ranking, Mercer University competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $22,350 annually, Mercer University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 82.7% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $15,645 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -43.8% ROI and $50,231 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $12,350+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Mercer University ranks #346 of 6272 institutions, with 841 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 73.4% six-year graduation rate sits 10.9 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 82.7% first-year retention is 5.9 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -43.8% return on investment is 129.1 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $50,231 run about 15% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $22,350 is roughly $5,232 higher than the national median of $17,118.
Helpfulness for Students
- 13:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 82.7% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 86.2% employment rate within three years sits 18.0 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $22,350 is about $5,232 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 33.3% trails the national share by 5.5 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates Mercer University—a private nonprofit university in Macon, GA—at B+ overall. It appears at #346 in EDsmart's national list Completion earns A-, Support B+, Career Outcomes B, and Affordability B-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
82.7% of learners come back after year one while 73.4% complete the degree within six years. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -43.8%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $22,350 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $56,494.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $34,144 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $17,655 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 33.3% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $50,231 six years after enrollment. That sits about 15% above the national median.
Roughly 86.2% of graduates are employed three years out.
The ROI comes in near -43.8%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
66.5% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Mercer University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Macon, GA 31207
- Website www.mercer.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
- Endowment$452.6M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate17.6%