Mercer vs. AU

Mercer University and Anderson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Mercer University
Anderson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 68.9%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $24,364 at Mercer vs $24,434 at AU. Mercer in-state tuition is about $7,342 more per year.
  • Graduation: Mercer 60% vs AU 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Mercer $57,300 vs AU $37,500 (median).
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Key differences

Mercer University Anderson University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
Mercer68.9%
AU54.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Mercer higher
Mercer1160-1350
AU1100-1280
Average net price
About even
Mercer$24,364
AU$24,434
In-state tuition
AU $7,342 less
Mercer$42,312
AU$34,970
Out-of-state tuition
AU $7,342 less
Mercer$42,312
AU$34,970
Graduation rate
Mercer +12 pts
Mercer60%
AU48%
Median earnings (10 years)
Mercer +$19,800
Mercer$57,300
AU$37,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Mercer 9,813
  • AU 4,548
  • Admitted
  • Mercer 6,760
  • AU 2,488
  • Acceptance rate
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • AU 54.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • AU 32.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mercer 1260
  • AU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mercer 28
  • AU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Mercer 3.98
  • AU 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • Mercer A
  • AU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Mercer Difficult
  • AU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Mercer Low
  • AU Low
  • SAT range
  • Mercer 1160-1350
  • AU 1100-1280
  • ACT range
  • Mercer 25-31
  • AU 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Mercer Required
  • AU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027
  • AU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • AU $34,970
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • AU $34,970
  • Room & board
  • Mercer $15,156
  • AU $12,720
  • Average net price
  • Mercer $24,364
  • AU $24,434
  • Average grant aid
  • Mercer $33,808
  • AU $25,969
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Mercer 100%
  • AU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Mercer 60%
  • AU 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Mercer $57,300
  • AU $37,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Mercer 45%
  • AU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Mercer $25,000
  • AU $26,862
  • Median loan payment
  • Mercer $258
  • AU $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Mercer 11:1
  • AU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • Setting
  • Mercer Small City
  • AU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mercer 9,196
  • AU 4,710
  • Type
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Mercer #201
  • AU #662

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Mercer University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 4,710 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
  • Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Anderson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 16.1% lower than at Mercer University ($12,720 vs. $15,156).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Mercer than at Anderson University (about $7,342 more per year; $42,312 vs. $34,970).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Anderson University students ($33,808 vs. $25,969).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Mercer than at AU (28 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Mercer, test optional at AU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mercer average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at AU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 32.5% at AU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercer University graduates have a $1,862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, Mercer graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($258 vs. $277).
  • More AU 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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