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Mercer University

Mercer University is a private campus in Macon proper — federal locale codes class it as urban.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

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Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$18,650

family income
under $30k

$20,919

$30–48k

$22,627

$48–75k

$24,610

$75–110k

$26,399

over $110k

Average net price

$23,8472023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Mercer University rose from $18,052 (2008) to $23,847 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$18,052
2009	$18,739
2010	$17,761
2011	$17,490
2012	$19,472
2013	$20,347
2014	$20,423
2015	$20,704
2016	$20,812
2017	$20,828
2018	$21,464
2019	$20,853
2020	$20,884
2021	$21,627
2022	$22,350
2023	$23,847

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$58,2042024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Mercer University rose from $40,179 (2009) to $58,204 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$40,179
2010	$41,529
2011	$43,261
2012	$45,301
2013	$46,382
2014	$47,379
2015	$48,016
2016	$48,766
2017	$49,848
2018	$50,850
2019	$51,923
2020	$52,940
2021	$53,755
2022	$55,068
2023	$56,494
2024	$58,204

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$17,028
2001	$18,290
2002	$19,728
2003	$20,796
2004	$22,050
2005	$23,460
2006	$25,056
2007	$26,960
2008	$28,700
2013	$33,120
2014	$33,780
2015	$34,450
2016	$35,130
2017	$36,000
2018	$36,894
2019	$37,808
2020	$37,808
2021	$38,746
2022	$39,708
2023	$40,890

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $42,312 before grants and other attendance costs. At Mercer University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 4,500 undergrads, Mercer University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

69.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Mercer University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

69.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Mercer University rose from 51.5% (entered 1991) to 69.6% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	51.5%
1992 cohort	45.3%
1993 cohort	54.8%
1994 cohort	50.6%
1995 cohort	48.4%
1996 cohort	52.4%
1997 cohort	50.2%
1998 cohort	48.6%
1999 cohort	53.7%
2000 cohort	50.9%
2001 cohort	52.9%
2002 cohort	56.9%
2003 cohort	63.2%
2004 cohort	60%
2005 cohort	59.8%
2006 cohort	63.2%
2007 cohort	59.5%
2008 cohort	62.6%
2009 cohort	61.3%
2010 cohort	66.3%
2011 cohort	63.8%
2012 cohort	65.5%
2013 cohort	65.7%
2014 cohort	73.2%
2015 cohort	73.6%
2016 cohort	73.5%
2017 cohort	73.4%
2018 cohort	69.6%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

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Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$14,095	$6,782
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$15,036	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$15,959	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$15,500	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$14,553	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$17,125	$5,703
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$18,000	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,125	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,125	$5,930
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,125	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$18,250	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$20,500	$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$22,127	$10,194
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$24,905	$10,006
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$25,000	$8,632
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$25,000	$8,731
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$25,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,000	$8,700
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$25,500	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$25,000	$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$25,000	$10,857
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$25,000	$11,250
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$24,199	$9,750

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$50,231

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$53,833

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$58,354

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Mercer University admitted 6,760 of 9,813 applicants in Fall 2024. The 68.9% rate describes that application pool.

68.9%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $40,890 tuition · 2023–24 4,500 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1160–13501600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Mercer University received 9,813 applications and admitted 6,760 (68.9%), with 859 enrolling.

Mercer University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Mercer University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 590–680 and Math was 570–670 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1160–1350 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	590	640	680
SAT Math	570	610	670
ACT Composite	25	28	31

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

68.9%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read Mercer University's change from 82.6% to 68.9% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	82.6%
Fall 2002	84.9%
Fall 2003	79.2%
Fall 2004	84.8%
Fall 2005	80%
Fall 2006	79%
Fall 2007	59.9%
Fall 2008	67.2%
Fall 2009	62.2%
Fall 2010	63.9%
Fall 2011	82.8%
Fall 2012	63.1%
Fall 2013	69%
Fall 2014	66.7%
Fall 2015	66.9%
Fall 2016	69.3%
Fall 2017	73.3%
Fall 2018	72%
Fall 2019	74.2%
Fall 2020	78.2%
Fall 2021	75.4%
Fall 2022	74.7%
Fall 2023	66.5%
Fall 2024	68.9%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1160–1350Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1060	1260
Fall 2002	1060	1270
Fall 2003	1080	1280
Fall 2004	1070	1280
Fall 2005	1080	1280
Fall 2006	1080	1270
Fall 2007	1070	1270
Fall 2008	1080	1290
Fall 2009	1085	1275
Fall 2010	1080	1280
Fall 2011	1060	1260
Fall 2012	1070	1270
Fall 2013	1080	1270
Fall 2014	1090	1290
Fall 2015	1110	1310
Fall 2016	1100	1290
Fall 2017	1170	1340
Fall 2018	1180	1340
Fall 2019	1170	1340
Fall 2020	1180	1340
Fall 2021	1220	1400
Fall 2022	1190	1360
Fall 2023	1180	1350
Fall 2024	1160	1350

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

25–31Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	22	27
Fall 2002	22	28
Fall 2004	22	27
Fall 2005	22	27
Fall 2006	22	27
Fall 2007	23	28
Fall 2008	23	29
Fall 2009	24	29
Fall 2010	23	29
Fall 2011	24	29
Fall 2012	23	28
Fall 2013	23	28
Fall 2014	25	29
Fall 2015	24	30
Fall 2016	25	29
Fall 2017	25	30
Fall 2018	25	30
Fall 2019	25	30
Fall 2020	25	31
Fall 2021	28	32
Fall 2022	26	31
Fall 2023	25	31
Fall 2024	25	31

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,500Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Mercer University has held near 4,500 from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	4,570
Fall 2003	4,470
Fall 2004	4,526
Fall 2005	4,403
Fall 2006	4,180
Fall 2007	4,223
Fall 2008	4,296
Fall 2009	4,406
Fall 2010	4,383
Fall 2011	4,301
Fall 2012	4,287
Fall 2013	4,304
Fall 2014	4,418
Fall 2015	4,556
Fall 2016	4,645
Fall 2017	4,708
Fall 2018	4,765
Fall 2019	4,806
Fall 2020	4,725
Fall 2021	4,699
Fall 2022	4,568
Fall 2023	4,620
Fall 2024	4,500

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

82%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Mercer University has held near 82% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	79%
Fall 2003 cohort	83%
Fall 2004 cohort	80%
Fall 2005 cohort	79%
Fall 2006 cohort	80%
Fall 2007 cohort	78%
Fall 2008 cohort	83%
Fall 2009 cohort	81%
Fall 2010 cohort	83%
Fall 2011 cohort	82%
Fall 2012 cohort	82%
Fall 2013 cohort	80%
Fall 2014 cohort	87%
Fall 2015 cohort	88%
Fall 2016 cohort	86%
Fall 2017 cohort	89%
Fall 2018 cohort	86%
Fall 2019 cohort	87%
Fall 2020 cohort	86%
Fall 2021 cohort	86%
Fall 2022 cohort	83%
Fall 2023 cohort	82%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Mercer University

35.4% of Mercer University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Mercer University as a primarily residential campus of 4,500 undergraduates — and 82.2% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Mercer University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1160–1350 — their midpoint is above the GA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Mercer University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Mercer University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Mercer University68.9%

Georgia median70.7%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Mercer University$42,312

Georgia median$13,920

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Mercer University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Mercer University$58,354

Georgia median$47,290

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Mercer University, Georgia and national reference values
Metric & basis	Mercer University	Georgia median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	68.9%	70.7%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$42,312	$13,920	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$58,354	$47,290	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Mercer University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Mercer University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 22 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Engineering, General	$88,413
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$85,030
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$80,937
Business/Commerce, General	$77,713
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$75,835
Accounting and Related Services	$75,529
Marketing	$71,629
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$71,602
Human Resources Management and Services	$68,052
Finance and Financial Management Services	$66,036
Chemistry	$60,696
Public Health	$60,401
Political Science and Government	$59,997
Biology, General	$59,570
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$58,127
Journalism	$53,182
Communication and Media Studies	$52,530
Psychology, General	$51,723
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$51,513
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$48,060
Music	$46,502
Human Services, General	$45,484

These 22 fields listed for Mercer University measure earnings after completion. The $58,354 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 44 additional Mercer University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Mercer University report?

Mercer University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1160–1350 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Mercer University's acceptance rate?

68.9% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 6,760 admitted from 9,813 applicants.

How much does Mercer University cost?

At Mercer University, tuition is $42,312. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Mercer University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $58,354. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Georgia

LaGrange College — 62.1% admitted
Reinhardt University — 61.5% admitted
Savannah College of Art and Design — 83% admitted
Georgia College & State University — 78.2% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.