Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

Middle Georgia State University vs Mercer University: which has better ROI?

Public, Macon GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Macon GA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University

Net price / year
$12,361
Earnings, 10 years
$40,863
Payback
No payback

Option B Macon, GA

Mercer University

Net price / year
$23,847
Earnings, 10 years
$58,354
Payback
9.5 yrs
The verdict

Mercer University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,388 in 9.5 years versus not at all at Middle Georgia State University, on median earnings of $58,354 vs $40,863 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMiddle Georgia State UniversityMercer University
Net price / yr$12,361$23,847
Total net cost$49,444$95,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,863$58,354
Median debt$19,000$24,199
Payback—9.5 yrs
20-year net return-$199,384$104,492

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University?

Middle Georgia State University, at $12,361 a year after aid versus $23,847 — a gap of $11,486 a year, or $45,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University graduates earn more?

Mercer University graduates report a median $58,354 ten years after entry, $17,491 more than the $40,863 at Middle Georgia 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University?

Middle Georgia State University: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $24,199 at Mercer University, a difference of $5,199. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Mercer University, against 25% at Middle Georgia 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.

Middle Georgia State University vs Mercer University: frequently asked questions

Is Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University a better value?
Mercer University. It clears its $95,388 net cost in about 9.5 years versus no clear payback at Middle Georgia State University, on median earnings of $58,354 vs $40,863 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University?
Middle Georgia State University: $12,361/yr net price after aid versus $23,847/yr at Mercer University — a difference of $11,486 a year, or about $45,944 over four years.
Do Middle Georgia State University or Mercer University graduates earn more?
Mercer University graduates earn a median $58,354 ten years after entry, versus $40,863 at Middle Georgia State University — a $17,491 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.