Mercer vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mercer vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Catawba College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Catawba College than Mercer ($18,447 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 10.5% lower than at Mercer University ($13,565 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $8,012 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at Mercer than at Catawba College (about $8,012 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($33,808 vs. $30,808).

Mercer vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Catawba College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Catawba College and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 90 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Catawba College (3.64).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

Mercer vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Catawba College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Mercer University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College and Mercer graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Catawba College and Mercer graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.