Mercer University
Macon, Georgia
Mercer University, one of America’s oldest and most distinctive universities, is located right in the heart of Georgia. Founded in 1833, Mercer is the only university in the South to offer liberal arts, law, medicine, engineering, and pharmacy at the same institution. In addition, Mercer also offers business, teacher education, nursing, music, and theology. With over 60 undergraduate programs to choose from, students are sure to find the degree that fits their interests.
Mercer’s reputation for exceptional academics in an engaged learning environment continues to grow. Mercer University has earned national recognition from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its commitment to community engagement and has also been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for distinguished community service.
Get to know Mercer University
College Highlights
SERVICE AND ENGAGEMENT
Service learning, leadership development, and community involvement are three common threads that join all of Mercer’s academic programs and experiences. In fact, Mercer students rank among the most engaged in the nation. They are primed and ready to make a difference in their fields, even as students. Currently, undergraduates are working to find better treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes; searching for ways to provide electricity for schools in rural areas of Africa; and developing inexpensive prosthetics for amputees in the developing world.
MERCER ON MISSION
Mercer On Mission is one of the University’s most popular programs. This initiative takes students out of the classroom and into foreign countries for life changing experiences. Designed to integrate academic programs with service learning, students, faculty, and staff have traveled to Kenya, Brazil, Guatemala, China, Senegal, South Africa, Costa Rica, Vietnam, and Liberia to aid those in need and learn from cultural immersion.
MERCER SERVICE SCHOLARS (MSS)
Another of the University’s flagship programs is Mercer Service Scholars (MSS). MSS is a dynamic program that engages diverse students in substantive service in both the local community and internationally. Mercer Service Scholars are leaders on campus and develop to become leaders in their careers and lifelong contributors to their communities.
A recent project of MSS is LEAP – Local Engagement Against Poverty. This is a student-led service initiative that is focused on addressing the needs of those living below the poverty line in the local community. To date, students have logged more than 7,000 hours of service toward the project’s goal of 10,000 hours.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Undergraduate research is emphasized across each of Mercer’s 11 colleges and schools. Students benefit from collaboration across departments, colleges and schools, as well as with other universities and institutions committed to research. The University highlights undergraduate research at its annual BEAR (Breakthroughs in Engagement, Arts, and Research) Day celebration. The entire campus community comes together for student presentations and an Engineering Expo, which includes a freshman robotics competition.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latinx: 7%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 30%
White, non-Hispanic: 46%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 8%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 4%
LIBERAL LEARNING
Since 1833, the foundation of a Mercer education has been liberal learning. By studying the best that has been created and discovered in the sciences, the arts, and the humanities, liberally educated men and women learn to think for themselves and to seek excellence. Liberal learning at Mercer engages undergraduate students in research and scholarship, emphasizes leadership and service locally and internationally, offers students cutting-edge interdisciplinary programs of study, and provides intensive preparation for students’ future professions.
PRESTIGIOUS AND CARING FACULTY
Mercer University’s reputation is built on its rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. Yet, tradition plays an important role in the University’s unique identity as a faith-based institution, committed to religious and intellectual freedom. Students across Mercer’s 11 colleges and schools benefit from a welcoming atmosphere and small-class learning environment. They learn from a prestigious, yet caring, faculty — not from teaching assistants, as found at many universities. Mercer’s faculty members, whose credentials come from some of the world’s finest academic institutions, are distinguished for both teaching and research. More than 90 percent of the faculty hold doctorates or the highest attainable degrees in their respective fields.
CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE JOURNALISM
Mercer is committed to meeting the demands of today’s workforce. This focus drives the creation of new and innovative academic programs, such as the Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University. This program is the first of its kind in the nation to adopt a medical school model for journalism education. The Center engages Mercer students and faculty and the news staffs of The Telegraph and Georgia Public Broadcasting in innovative journalism that advances journalistic excellence in the digital age. The Center is already gaining national attention and was recently featured on the front page of the Business section of The New York Times.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Living on campus is a significant part of the Mercer experience, providing students with opportunities to grow and develop beyond the classroom. Students are required to live on campus through their junior year. From traditional residence halls to apartments to Greek housing, Mercer provides students with a variety of living accommodations. In addition, amenities such as wireless internet, cable television service, laundry facilities/service, food service, and free trolley transportation to grocery stores and downtown locations make living on campus convenient, safe, and fun.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Mercer students pursue interests and extracurricular activities with vigor. That’s why the University has more than 120 student organizations — including athletic, service, academic, religious, political, Greek, and social organizations. And finding a place to get together with friends on campus is easy. Students stay fit using the University Center’s fully-equipped fitness center, six-lane lap pool, raised indoor track, and three intramural courts.
MERCER VILLAGE
Just across the street from campus is Mercer Village, home to Jittery Joe’s Coffee Shop, Ingleside Village Pizza, Francar’s Wings, Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, Fountain of Juice, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Designer Tan, Rodeo Beach Outfitters, and the new Lofts at Mercer Village.
CAMPUS EVENTS
Thanks to a dedicated team of students who put together more than 80 student events each year, there is never a dull moment on campus. QuadWorks, Mercer’s student activity board, hosts campus distractions, outdoor movies, tailgating, and BearStock. Students can also experience off-Broadway theatre productions at Mercer’s own Grand Opera House as well as concerts, student theatre productions, and SnowBall.
ATHLETICS
- NCAA Division I, Atlantic Sun Conference, Pioneer League.
- 17 Varsity sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis; baseball; football; softball; and court and sand volleyball
- Mascot: Bear
- Colors: Orange and Black
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
Whether it is preparing students for advanced study or for careers in a variety of fields, Mercer offers a comprehensive set of well-regarded educational options. Some of these options include education, ministry, performing artists, law, engineering, and healthcare.
In addition to pre-professional tracks, Mercer’s undergraduate students may apply to participate in guaranteed admission programs to the School of Business and Economics, School of Law, School of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Mercer’s alumni network encompasses more than 60,000 alumni who live throughout the United States and in more than 70 countries around the world. By sponsoring numerous events each year, including “Mercer Mingles” in cities where alumni live, the Alumni Association helps graduates continue to bond and further strengthens the legacy of the University. Among Mercer’s alumni ranks are 12 governors, four United States senators, an attorney general of the United States, and numerous other professionals.
Other notable alumni include:
- Nathan Deal, current governor of Georgia
- Bill Yoast, high school football coach made famous in the film, Remember the Titans
- Nancy Grace, host of Headline News program, Nancy Grace
- Phil Walden, music pioneer and founder of Capricorn Records
- Cory Gearrin, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Reg Murphy, former president and vice chairman, National Geographic Society
DRIVEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS
Nationally, only 37 percent of college students graduate in four years. Contributing factors to this low percentage include poor advisement and limited course offerings. Mercer seeks to ensure that its students enter the next phase of their lives much faster than the national average. In addition to offering the classes its students need (when they need them), Mercer has invested significant resources in tracking student progress throughout the student’s degree program. A faculty adviser works closely with each student to identify individual goals and assist in making smart choices about his or her academic schedule.
Admission
APPLICATION PROCESS
Mercer University is a member of the Common Application. Georgia residents may apply through GACollege411.org. Students may also apply online at apply.mercer.edu.
A complete application* consists of the following:
- Application for Admission
- Official Transcript(s)
- Official SAT or ACT score(s)**
- $50 Application Fee
*International students may have additional requirements.
**Not applicable for transfer students with more than 30 credit hours.
Completed applications postmarked by November 15 are considered for invitation to Mercer’s prestigious Scholars’ Weekend. Mercer’s top applicants travel to campus for this event to compete for our highest level scholarships, ranging to full tuition.
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 600 | 75th Percentile: 670
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 580 | 75th Percentile: 670
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 25 | 75th Percentile: 31
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 24 | 75th Percentile: 28
ACT English
25th Percentile: 24 | 75th Percentile: 33
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $37,508
Fees: $300
Room: $6,420
Board: $6,650
Contact Mercer University
Contact Admissions
undergrad.mercer.edu
(478) 301-2650
admissions@mercer.edu
Campus Location
1501 Mercer University Drive
Macon, GA 31207
1-800-MERCER-U