Fairfield University vs. Mercer

Should I go to Fairfield University or Mercer University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Mercer is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fairfield University vs. Mercer University comparison
Fairfield University Mercer University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Mercer University
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Overview

Fairfield University Mercer
Location Fairfield, CT Macon, GA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,019 8,889
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #236
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu mercer.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Mercer
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $39,408
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $39,408
Room & Board $16,750 $14,046
Avg Net Price $46,065 $22,087
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $33,740
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Fairfield University Mercer
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 7,556
Admitted 6,971 5,643
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 74.7%
Enrolled % 19.1% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.98
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 26/31
SAT Range 1240/1370 1190/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Jul 1, 2024

Academics

Fairfield University Mercer
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Human Services (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Mercer
Graduation Rate 82% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $57,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Fairfield University Mercer
% Men 41% 33%
% Women 59% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 48%
% Black 2% 31%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 8% 5%

Students

Fairfield University Mercer
% In-State 15% 86%
% Out-of-State 84% 13%

Campus

Fairfield University Mercer
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mercer University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 6,019 students)

Fairfield University vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Mercer?

  • Fairfield University is 36.1% more expensive to attend than Mercer for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $39,408.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.1% higher at Fairfield University than Mercer University ($53,630.00 vs. $39,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than Fairfield University ($22,087 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 19.3% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($14,046 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 33.5% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($33,740 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Mercer Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Mercer? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mercer or Fairfield University .

  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

Fairfield University vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Mercer? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mercer and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Mercer University (82% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $19,800 more per year than Mercer graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $57,300)
  • Mercer University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Mercer graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/