Georgia College & State University vs Mercer University: which has better ROI?
Georgia College & State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,744 in 8.5 years versus 9.5 years at Mercer University, on median earnings of $58,140 vs $58,354 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Georgia College & State University | Mercer University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,686 | $23,847 |
| Total net cost | $82,744 | $95,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,140 | $58,354 |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $24,199 |
| Payback | 8.5 yrs | 9.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $112,856 | $104,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Georgia College & State University or Mercer University?
Georgia College & State University, at $20,686 a year after aid versus $23,847 — a gap of $3,161 a year, or $12,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Georgia College & State University or Mercer University graduates earn more?
Mercer University graduates report a median $58,354 ten years after entry, $214 more than the $58,140 at Georgia College & State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Georgia College & State University or Mercer University?
Georgia College & State University: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $24,199 at Mercer University, a difference of $1,949. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Mercer University, against 64% at Georgia College & State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.