Mercer vs. Davidson

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

Mercer University
Davidson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Davidson (13.4% admitted vs 68.9%). Typical SAT 1470 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mercer. Average net price is $24,364 vs $27,720 at Davidson.
  • Graduation: Mercer 60% vs Davidson 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Mercer $57,300 vs Davidson $63,500 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Mercer University Davidson College
Acceptance rate
Davidson more selective
Mercer68.9%
Davidson13.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Davidson higher
Mercer1160-1350
Davidson1400-1530
Average net price
Mercer $3,356 less
Mercer$24,364
Davidson$27,720
In-state tuition
Mercer $22,098 less
Mercer$42,312
Davidson$64,410
Out-of-state tuition
Mercer $22,098 less
Mercer$42,312
Davidson$64,410
Graduation rate
Davidson +32 pts
Mercer60%
Davidson92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Davidson +$6,200
Mercer$57,300
Davidson$63,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Mercer Check my chances at Davidson
  • Applied
  • Mercer 9,813
  • Davidson 8,114
  • Admitted
  • Mercer 6,760
  • Davidson 1,085
  • Acceptance rate
  • Mercer 68.9%
  • Davidson 13.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Mercer 12.7%
  • Davidson 47.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mercer 1260
  • Davidson 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mercer 28
  • Davidson 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Mercer 3.98
  • Davidson 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Mercer A
  • Davidson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Mercer Difficult
  • Davidson Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Mercer Low
  • Davidson Very High
  • SAT range
  • Mercer 1160-1350
  • Davidson 1400-1530
  • ACT range
  • Mercer 25-31
  • Davidson 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Mercer Required
  • Davidson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Mercer Jul 1, 2027
  • Davidson Jan 7, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Davidson $64,410
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Mercer $42,312
  • Davidson $64,410
  • Room & board
  • Mercer $15,156
  • Davidson $17,100
  • Average net price
  • Mercer $24,364
  • Davidson $27,720
  • Average grant aid
  • Mercer $33,808
  • Davidson $51,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Mercer 100%
  • Davidson 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Mercer 60%
  • Davidson 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Mercer $57,300
  • Davidson $63,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Mercer 45%
  • Davidson 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Mercer $25,000
  • Davidson $17,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Mercer $258
  • Davidson $175
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Mercer 11:1
  • Davidson 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Mercer
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Human Services (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Davidson
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
  • Location
  • Mercer Macon, GA
  • Davidson Davidson, NC
  • Setting
  • Mercer Small City
  • Davidson Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Mercer 9,196
  • Davidson 1,869
  • Type
  • Mercer Private 4 Year
  • Davidson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Mercer #201
  • Davidson #32

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 1,869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Davidson College is in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting).
  • Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Davidson College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 11.4% lower than at Davidson College ($15,156 vs. $17,100).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at Davidson than at Mercer University (about $22,098 more per year; $64,410 vs. $42,312).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Davidson College (100% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Mercer University students ($51,755 vs. $33,808).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Davidson than at Mercer (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Mercer, test optional at Davidson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mercer average a 3.98 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Davidson (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($175 vs. $258).
  • More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation (89% 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
Davidson College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges