Mercer vs. Loyola

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercer University in Macon, GA with Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Mercer based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 9,196 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Mercer University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercer University 11:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

Mercer vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Loyola? 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 Mercer University than Loyola ($24,364 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 10.9% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($15,156 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercer (about $11,398 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at Loyola than at Mercer University (about $11,398 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $42,312.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Loyola University Chicago students ($33,808 vs. $28,816).

Mercer vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 10 points higher than at Mercer (1260).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Mercer).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Loyola - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Mercer (68.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

Mercer vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercer and Loyola? 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).

• Loyola University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago and Mercer graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Loyola University Chicago and Mercer graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Loyola graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.