Mercer vs. Butler

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

Mercer University
Butler University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Mercer (68.9% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mercer. Average net price is $24,364 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Mercer 60% vs Butler 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Mercer $57,300 vs Butler $68,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Mercer University Butler University
Acceptance rate
Mercer more selective
Mercer68.9%
Butler85.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Mercer higher
Mercer1160-1350
Butler1160-1350
Average net price
Mercer $14,074 less
Mercer$24,364
Butler$38,438
In-state tuition
Mercer $5,248 less
Mercer$42,312
Butler$47,560
Out-of-state tuition
Mercer $5,248 less
Mercer$42,312
Butler$47,560
Graduation rate
Butler +12 pts
Mercer60%
Butler72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$11,100
Mercer$57,300
Butler$68,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Mercer and Butler with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Mercer Check my chances at Butler
  • Applied
  • Mercer 9,813
  • Butler 9,471
  • Admitted
  • Mercer 6,760
  • Butler 8,058
  • Acceptance rate
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mercer 1260
  • Butler 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mercer 28
  • Butler 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Mercer 3.98
  • Butler 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • Mercer A
  • Butler A
  • Admissions standards
  • Mercer Difficult
  • Butler Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Mercer Low
  • Butler
  • SAT range
  • Mercer 1160-1350
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • ACT range
  • Mercer 25-31
  • Butler 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Mercer Required
  • Butler Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Butler $47,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Butler $47,560
  • Room & board
  • Mercer $15,156
  • Butler $16,430
  • Average net price
  • Mercer $24,364
  • Butler $38,438
  • Average grant aid
  • Mercer $33,808
  • Butler $27,790
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Mercer 100%
  • Butler 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Mercer 60%
  • Butler 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Mercer $57,300
  • Butler $68,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Mercer 45%
  • Butler 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Mercer $25,000
  • Butler $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Mercer $258
  • Butler $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Mercer 11:1
  • Butler 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Setting
  • Mercer Small City
  • Butler Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mercer 9,196
  • Butler 5,746
  • Type
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Mercer #201
  • Butler #209

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 7.8% lower than at Butler University ($15,156 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Butler than at Mercer University (about $5,248 more per year; $47,560 vs. $42,312).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 21.7% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($33,808 vs. $27,790).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Mercer students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Butler (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Mercer, test optional at Butler.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mercer average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Butler (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 12.9% at Butler.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercer University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mercer graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 45%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Mercer University
Butler University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges