Mercer University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Mercer University charges a net price of $23,847/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $95,388. Graduates earn a median $58,354 ten years after entry, $9,994/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.5 years — a 20-year net return of $104,492, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Mercer University's 9.5-year payback ranks #771 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 40% of them, and #8 of 100 in Georgia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,847/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $95,388 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,354 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $9,994/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,199 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $104,492 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Mercer University's own numbers. Net price $23,847 × 4 years = $95,388 total. Median earnings $58,354 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,994 a year of premium. $95,388 ÷ $9,994 = 9.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $104,492. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Mercer University students graduate with?
A median $24,199 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $58,354 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Mercer University students graduate?
70% finish their degree. Spread the $95,388 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $136,269 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Mercer University expensive compared with other Georgia colleges?
Its $23,847 net price runs $8,172 above the $15,675 median across the 100 Georgia colleges we profile, or $32,688 more across the full degree.