Mercer University
Macon, GA
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Mercer University
Georgia's oldest private research university, Mercer empowers students to innovate and serve.
Mercer University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and community engagement, holding the distinction of being Georgia's oldest private university. Since its founding in 1833 as Mercer Institute, it has evolved into a vibrant "R2: Doctoral University with High Research Activity," drawing over 9,000 students across its twelve colleges and schools. With a rich heritage rooted in Baptist tradition, Mercer fosters an environment where students are encouraged to pursue knowledge with purpose, guided by its motto, "Sciences, Arts, and Religion."
Students at Mercer benefit from a comprehensive and hands-on education, spanning multiple campuses in Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus. The university is renowned for its unique programs, such as the only private engineering school in Georgia, which actively supports Robins Air Force Base and gained national recognition for its innovative low-cost prosthetics developed through the Mercer On Mission project. The highly-ranked School of Medicine is dedicated to training primary care physicians for rural and underserved areas of Georgia, embodying Mercer's commitment to public service.
Beyond specialized programs, Mercer offers a robust academic landscape, from its accredited Stetson-Hatcher School of Business to its historic School of Law, one of the oldest in the nation. The James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology continues its Cooperative Baptist Fellowship affiliation, while the Townsend School of Music cultivates artistic talent. Mercer also boasts a competitive NCAA Division I athletic program, providing a well-rounded collegiate experience within its close-knit community. Through its diverse offerings and deep commitment to research and service, Mercer University prepares its graduates to become leaders and innovators in their fields and communities.
Key Highlights
- ✦Founded in 1833, it is the oldest private university in the state of Georgia.
- ✦Classified as an "R2: Doctoral University — High research activity" with an endowment of $502 million (2022).
- ✦Enrolls more than 9,100 students (Fall 2023) across 12 colleges and schools.
- ✦Home to the only private engineering school in Georgia, recognized for its Mercer On Mission project developing low-cost prosthetics for amputees.
- ✦The School of Medicine focuses on training primary care physicians for rural Georgia, ranked 17th nationally in family medicine in 2005.
- ✦Hosts the American Baptist Historical Society, establishing Mercer as a national center of Baptist scholarship.
- ✦Features an NCAA Division I athletic program competing in the Southern Conference.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
6 notable schools within Mercer University
Stetson-Hatcher School of Business
Founded in 1984, this AACSB-accredited school offers bachelor's (BBA) and MBA programs across its Macon, Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County, and Savannah locations, and hosts Georgia's premier business outreach program, the Mercer University Executive Forum.
School of Engineering
Established in 1985, it is the only private engineering school in Georgia, serving as the primary provider of engineers for Robins Air Force Base and gaining recognition for its Mercer On Mission project, which provides low-cost prosthetics to amputees in developing nations.
Townsend School of Music
Opened in 2006, this school offers undergraduate and graduate music degrees, houses the prestigious Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and through the Townsend-McAfee Institute, has become a leading publisher of choral music and church Bible study material.
Mercer University School of Law
Founded in 1873, it is one of the oldest law schools in the United States, offering the Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a joint JD/MBA program in conjunction with the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business.
James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology
Established in 1994 and located on the Atlanta campus, this graduate theological school is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and hosts both the American Baptist Historical Society and the Baptist History and Heritage Society, making Mercer a national center of Baptist scholarship.
Mercer University School of Medicine
Founded in 1982 and partially state-funded, its core mission is to train primary care physicians and health professionals for rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia, with campuses in Macon, Savannah, and Columbus.
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