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Mercer University

Macon, Georgia 31207

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesUrbanGreek life

Known for health sciences

Mercer University is a private institution in Macon with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1280, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.6K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

73% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,354 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,350.

Established
1833
Motto
Scientiis, Artibus, Religioni
Mascot
TobyTot
Type
Private research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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66%Acceptance
1280SAT Avg
4,620Students
13:1Student:Faculty
73%Grad Rate
$58,354Earnings 10yr
$22,350Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate66.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1280

Reading & WritingMid: 663
600680
MathMid: 648
580670

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 30
2531

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$40,890
Room & Board$14,528
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$56,494
Average Net Price$22,350
Median Debt at Graduation$24,199
Monthly Payment (10yr)$257

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$18,650
$30–48K$20,919
$48–75K$22,627
$75–110K$24,610
$110K+$26,399

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

39.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,655

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

35

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

9

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (137)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
4,620
Gender Split
64% / 36%
Women / Men
First Generation
28%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 43%
Black 32%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 8%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate73.4%
Freshman Retention82.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,231
10 Years$58,354

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#165
vs 2024
Forbes
#285
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#173
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Bears

Sand volleyballBasketballSoccerLacrosseGolfBasketball mercerBasketball among

History & Fun Facts

  • The school opened as Mercer Institute with 39 students on January 14, 1833.
  • The school was named for Jesse Mercer, a prominent Baptist leader who, along with Josiah Penfield, provided a founding endowment and who served as the first chairman of the board of trustees.
  • The Georgia General Assembly granted a university charter in December 1837.
  • Mercer adopted its present name in 1838 and graduated its first university class, of three students, in 1841.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from GA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
77 mi(133 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
231 mi(400 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
291 mi(504 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta72 mi
BHM Birmingham186 mi
JAX Jacksonville198 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
New York, NY762 mi · ~22h 1m drive
Hartford, CT862 mi · ~24h 54m drive
Providence, RI914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Albany, NY866 mi · ~25h 1m drive
Syracuse, NY815 mi · ~23h 33m drive
Rochester, NY785 mi · ~22h 41m drive
Buffalo, NY742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Philadelphia, PA681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Pittsburgh, PA563 mi · ~16h 16m drive
Harrisburg, PA636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
Newark, NJ756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Washington, DC560 mi · ~16h 11m drive
Baltimore, MD594 mi · ~17h 10m drive
Atlanta, GA77 mi · ~2h 13m drive
Charlotte, NC231 mi · ~6h 40m drive
Raleigh, NC351 mi · ~10h 8m drive
Miami, FL531 mi · ~15h 20m drive
Orlando, FL326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Tampa, FL344 mi · ~9h 56m drive
Nashville, TN291 mi · ~8h 24m drive
New Orleans, LA428 mi · ~12h 22m drive
Richmond, VA478 mi · ~13h 49m drive
Chicago, IL662 mi · ~19h 7m drive
Detroit, MI657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Minneapolis, MN984 mi · ~28h 26m drive
St. Louis, MO543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Kansas City, MO748 mi · ~21h 37m drive
Indianapolis, IN499 mi · ~14h 25m drive
Columbus, OH494 mi · ~14h 16m drive
Cleveland, OH609 mi · ~17h 36m drive
Milwaukee, WI742 mi · ~21h 26m drive
Dallas, TX763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
Houston, TX723 mi · ~20h 53m drive
Austin, TX848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
San Antonio, TX908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
Los Angeles, CA1987 mi · ~57h 24m drive
San Francisco, CA2197 mi · ~63h 28m drive
San Diego, CA1939 mi · ~56h 1m drive
Seattle, WA2251 mi · ~65h 2m drive
Portland, OR2240 mi · ~64h 43m drive
Denver, CO1277 mi · ~36h 53m drive
Phoenix, AZ1640 mi · ~47h 23m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1647 mi · ~47h 35m drive
Honolulu, HI4546 mi · ~131h 20m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Mercer University Application Checklist

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