Georgia Southwestern vs Mercer
Georgia Southwestern State University and Mercer University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Georgia, offer distinct educational experiences. Georgia Southwestern, nestled in the charming town of Americus, boasts a close-knit community with a focus on undergraduate education, while Mercer, with campuses in Macon and Atlanta, offers a wider range of graduate programs and research opportunities. With Georgia Southwestern's higher acceptance rate and Mercer's more diverse student body, both universities cater to different demographics. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your choice of alma mater.
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![]() Georgia Southwestern State University |
![]() Mercer University |
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Overview |
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Location | Americus, Georgia | Macon, Georgia |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 54.0% | 86.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.6% | 75.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 990 - 1170 | 1220 - 1400 |
ACT range | 19 - 23 | 28 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 8.0% | 17.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,651 | 7,201 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,413 | 5,430 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 385 | 950 |
Yield rate | 27.2% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$19,268
Out of state:
$29,990
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$56,162 |
Average net price | $12,698 | $21,164 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,064
Out of state:
$14,786
|
$38,446 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,200
Meal plan:
$4,400
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Room/dormitory:
$6,580
Meal plan:
$6,858
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $7,607 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,845 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,198 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,473 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $8,163 |
16.0%
Average amount $10,195 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,466
Men 35.7% Women 64.3% |
4,941
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
Graduate students |
691
Men 22.0% Women 78.0% |
4,068
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 8.5% | 11.6% |
International students | 6.6% | 2.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 950 | 3,025 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Georgia Florida North Carolina Alabama Michigan | Georgia Florida Alabama South Carolina Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 34.0% | 73.6% |
Dropout rate | 16.3% | 4.8% |
Transferred out | 45.7% | 21.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
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