At $22,350/yr net price, Mercer University graduates earn $58,354/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,354/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,350 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $89,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,354/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,354/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,199 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,650/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,919/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,627/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,610/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,399/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $115,064 | $175,359 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $95,930 | $103,050 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,856 | $41,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $87,604 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $85,538 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $72,682 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,127 | $96,034 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $70,736 | $39,318 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,299 | $19,869 |
The Risk Factor
73.4% of students at Mercer University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Mercer University gives you a solid but uneven financial return. With a 73% graduation rate and 83% retention, you have a strong chance of finishing what you start, which is the first thing that has to happen for any degree to pay off. Median debt sits below median earnings, so the typical borrower isn't buried.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program listed and comes with the lowest debt load, a combination you rarely get. If you want a degree that reliably covers its cost in Macon and the broader Georgia healthcare market, this is it.
Business is where the math turns against you. It earns less than nursing while carrying nearly double the debt, the widest gap between cost and payoff of any program on this list. Accounting and engineering land in the middle, with debt roughly in line with earnings but no cushion to spare. If you're taking on business-level debt, know that the earnings don't yet justify it.
The specific risk at Mercer is the private-school price. Net price climbs steadily with income, and if your family earns over $110k you'll pay the top tier every year with no need-based break. Pairing that cost with a lower-paying major like business is the main way you get hurt here.
Mercer fits you if you're headed into nursing or another health field where the earnings hold up. Lower-income families get a real discount, so the school is more affordable than the sticker suggests if you qualify. If you're aiming at a general business degree and paying the upper price tiers, a cheaper public option deserves a hard look before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercer University worth the cost for most students?
Mercer's median graduate debt of $24,199 is reasonable, but the 10-year median earnings of $58,354 put it below many comparable private universities. The value depends heavily on your program choice, with pharmacy and nursing graduates earning significantly more than the overall average.
What are the highest paying programs at Mercer University?
Pharmacy graduates from Mercer earn a median of $115,064 after 10 years, making it the strongest ROI program. Allied health professions ($95,930) and nursing ($90,856) also provide solid returns that justify the investment.
How much financial aid does Mercer University actually provide?
With a net price of $22,350 per year, Mercer provides substantial aid given its private status. However, this still represents a significant investment, and graduates outside high-earning programs like pharmacy may struggle to justify the cost.
Should I attend Mercer University if I'm not majoring in pharmacy or healthcare?
Mercer's overall graduate earnings lag behind the investment for non-healthcare majors. Computer engineering shows promise at $85,538, but other programs may not provide sufficient return on the private school premium you'll pay.