Mercer vs. Franciscan

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercer University is larger than Franciscan based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 3,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Franciscan University of Steubenville is in Steubenville, OH (Small City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Franciscan University of Steubenville 17:1.

Mercer vs. Franciscan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Franciscan? 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 Franciscan University of Steubenville than Mercer ($23,086 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franciscan University of Steubenville are 34% lower than at Mercer University ($10,000 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Franciscan (about $8,212 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $34,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Mercer than at Franciscan University of Steubenville (about $8,212 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $34,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Franciscan University of Steubenville (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 57.1% larger than aid received by Franciscan University of Steubenville students ($33,808 vs. $21,522).

Mercer vs. Franciscan Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer or Franciscan? 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 Franciscan and Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Franciscan (1230).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Franciscan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Franciscan University of Steubenville 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Franciscan University of Steubenville 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Franciscan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Franciscan (3.78).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Franciscan (58.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 41.7% at Franciscan.

Mercer vs. Franciscan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Franciscan? 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).

• Franciscan University of Steubenville's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mercer University earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Franciscan graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Mercer graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Franciscan graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercer graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More Franciscan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.