More selective than 54% of Georgia colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
32% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 17% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Mercer University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Mercer University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Mercer University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Your demonstrated interest
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- Interview
- Work experience
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Mercer University first-year students
Share of fall 2024 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.80. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
99% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
205 offered a spot, 116 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
Mercer University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Mercer University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 590 | 680 |
| SAT math | 570 | 670 |
| ACT composite | 25 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1160 | 1350 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Mercer University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 69% | 590–680 | 570–670 | 25–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 66% | 600–680 | 580–670 | 25–31 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Mercer University compared with other Georgia colleges?
Mercer University has the 22nd-lowest acceptance rate of 46 Georgia colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Fort Valley State University | 66% | 41% | $10,338 |
| 19 | Toccoa Falls College | 66% | 44% | $21,642 |
| 20 | University of North Georgia | 68% | 37% | $9,823 |
| 21 | Clayton State University | 68% | 40% | $8,365 |
| 22 | Mercer University | 69% | 70% | $23,847 |
| 23 | Kennesaw State University | 69% | 52% | $15,048 |
| 24 | Valdosta State University | 72% | 42% | $10,945 |
| 25 | Emmanuel University | 74% | 42% | $20,925 |
| 26 | Georgia Southwestern State University | 75% | 41% | $12,019 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Georgia colleges →
Who enrolls at Mercer University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Mercer University admissions questions
What is the Mercer University acceptance rate?
Mercer University accepts 69% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 7,349 of 11,058 applicants were admitted.
Does Mercer University require the SAT or ACT?
Mercer University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Mercer University?
The middle 50% of Mercer University enrolled first-year students scored 1160–1350 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Mercer University?
14% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,015 of 7,349).
What does Mercer University look for in applicants?
Mercer University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, your demonstrated interest. Important: essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, volunteer work. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, interview, work experience. (Common Data Set 2024-25).
Does Mercer University have early decision?
No. Mercer University does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2024-25).
Is Mercer University getting harder to get into?
Mercer University accepted 69% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 66% for Fall 2023.
Is Mercer University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Mercer University's Common Data Set 2024-25; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Mercer University overview