Academic Comparison between VMI and Mercer

Virginia Military Institute and Mercer University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. VMI is a four-year, public school located in Lexington, VA and Mercer is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Macon, GA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • VMI is a public and Mercer is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • VMI has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,638) than Mercer ($31,565).
  • It is harder to admit to Mercer than VMI.
  • Mercer has a higher submitted SAT score (1,180) than VMI (1,180).
  • Both VMI and Mercer have the same submitted ACT scores (28).
  • Mercer has more students with 9,196 students while VMI has 1,527 students.
  • VMI has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Mercer's ratio is 11 to 1.
  • Mercer has more full-time faculties with 476 faculties while VMI has 143 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Virginia Military Institutevs.Mercer University
Lexington, VirginiaLocationMacon, Georgia
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$21,046
Out-Of-State$52,638
2025 Tuition & Fees$31,565
68%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$19,593Average Amount of Financial Aid$25,862
71.25 %Acceptance Rates68.89 %
31.73 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.71 %
1,180SAT Score1,250
28ACT Score28
76 %Graduation Rate70 %
20 %Transfer-out Rate16 %
81 %Retention Rate82 %
1,527Student Population9,196
143Number of Faculties476
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services
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