Mercer University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$163,560
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$15,231/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
10.7 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
86%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Mercer University's in-state tuition is $40,890. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $51,273, which is a positive return on investment. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $50,231, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $58,354. The median debt for Mercer University graduates is $24,199, and 61% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year post-graduation earnings. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.47. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for a graduate's cumulative earnings to surpass the total cost of education, cannot be calculated with the provided data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$40,890
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,199
Median Earnings (5yr)
$50,231
Graduation Rate
74%
Receive Financial Aid
61%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | $163,560 | $87,077 | 537% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $163,560 | $70,738 | 337% |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | $163,560 | $0 | N/A |
| Engineering, General. | $163,560 | $80,421 | 455% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $163,560 | $53,838 | 130% |
| Law. | $163,560 | $0 | N/A |
| Medicine. | $163,560 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $163,560 | $43,306 | 2% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $163,560 | $50,721 | 92% |
| Biology, General. | $163,560 | $48,824 | 69% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $163,560 | $121,963 | 963% |
| Psychology, General. | $163,560 | $41,985 | -15% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.