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Georgia Georgia State Emory KSU Berry College Georgia Tech GS Georgia College Clemson Auburn Ogelthorpe Elon| Mercer University | Anderson University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Mercer | AU | ||
| Location | Macon, GA | Anderson, SC | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 9,124 | 4,325 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #221 | #759 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Baptist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mercer.edu | andersonuniversity.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Mercer | AU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $40,590 | $32,710 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $40,590 | $32,710 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,528 | $12,290 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $24,197 | $22,222 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $32,402 | $25,586 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Mercer | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 11,058 | 4,732 | ||
| Admitted | 7,349 | 2,499 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 66.5% | 52.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.8% | 34% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.98 | 3.72 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 25/31 | 22/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 1180/1350 | 1090/1290 | ||
| 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 | Jul 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Mercer | AU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Mercer | AU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 60% | 48% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,300 | $37,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 45% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $26,862 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $277 |
Diversity |
Mercer | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 15% | 9% | ||
| % Women | 32% | 12% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 48% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 31% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 2% |
Students |
Mercer | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 86% | 68% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 13% | 31% | ||
Campus |
Mercer | AU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Mercer University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (9,124 students vs. 4,325 students)
Mercer vs. AU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Mercer or AU?
- Mercer University is 24.1% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($40,590.00 vs. $32,710.00)
- Out of state tuition is 24.1% higher at Mercer than Anderson University ($40,590.00 vs. $32,710.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than Mercer ($22,222 vs. $24,197)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 18.2% lower than costs at Mercer University ($12,290 vs. $14,528)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University than Anderson University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 26.6% larger than aid received Anderson University ($32,402 vs. $25,586)
Mercer vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or AU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AU or Mercer .
- The average SAT score at Mercer University (1217) is 139 points higher than at AU (1078)
- Incoming Mercer students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at AU (24)
- Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at AU (3.72)
- Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (66.5%) than AU (52.8%)
Mercer vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Mercer or AU? 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 AU and Mercer.
- The graduation rate at Mercer is higher than Anderson University (60% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from Mercer University earn on average $19,800 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $37,500)
- Mercer University students graduate with a $1,862 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,862)
- Mercer graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/