- Mercer University is a private school while Western Carolina University is a public school.
- Mercer University is located in Macon, GA and Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC.
- Mercer University has more expensive tuition of $40,890 than Western Carolina University ($8,532).
- Western Carolina University has tighter acceptance rate of 38.84% than Mercer University (73.26%).
- Mercer University has higher SAT scores of 1,270 than Western Carolina University (1,150).
- Western Carolina University is larger with 11,635 students than Mercer University (8,889 students).
Mercer University View More Rivals | Western Carolina University View More Rivals | |
| #208 in National Universities #18 in Georgia | Rankings | #24 in North Carolina |
| Private, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| Macon, GA | Location | Cullowhee, NC |
| Known as | Western | |
| Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) Doctorate (Other) | Offered Degrees | Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Doctoral/Research University |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $40,890 | Undergraduate | $4,532 North Carolina residents $8,532 out-of-state |
| $17,865 | Graduate | $7,778 North Carolina residents $18,497 out-of-state |
| $24,594 | Financial Aid | $4,444 |
| Admission | ||
| $50 undergraduate $50 graduate | Application Fee | $65 undergraduate $65 graduate |
| 73.26% | Acceptance Rate | 38.84% |
| 25.58% | Yield | 26.53% |
| 1,270 SAT, 28 ACT | Test Scores | 1,150 SAT, 22 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 8,889 | Total Students | 11,635 |
| 4,859 | Undergraduate | 9,956 |
| 4,030 | Graduate | 1,679 |
| 1,814 | Online Enrollment | 2,858 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 73% | Graduation Rate | 60% |
| 19% | Transfer-out Rate | 28% |
| 86% | Retention Rate | 71% |
| $58,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $41,300 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 3,010) $6,928 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,347) $6,475 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 13 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 16 to 1 |
| 437 Full-time 288 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 544 Full-time 243 Part-time |
| 1,578 Full-time 381 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 1,570 Full-time 254 Part-time |
| $81,100 for Faculties $70,880 Part-time | Average Salary | $70,834 for Faculties $55,095 Part-time |