Engineering at Mercer University

Mercer Engineering graduates earn $72,403 in their first year—already matching Georgia Tech's median and landing at the 60th percentile among Georgia engineering programs. That's a solid starting point for a selective-but-accessible university (66% admission rate), and earnings climb to just over $80,000 by year four. With $26,000 in typical debt, graduates face payments equivalent to just over a third of their first year salary, which should be manageable on an engineering income.

The value here becomes clearer when you consider the competitive landscape. While Mercer doesn't dominate Georgia's engineering market, it delivers earnings on par with the state median despite being a smaller program. The 11% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are building career momentum, not just landing entry-level jobs. The debt load sits right at the national median for engineering programs—neither a bargain nor a burden.

For families weighing Mercer against Georgia's public options, this program offers a credible path to a six-figure engineering career within a few years of graduation. The economics work: graduates earn enough to handle their debt while building toward higher salaries. If your student wants an engineering degree from a mid-sized private university and can graduate near that $26,000 debt figure, the numbers support the investment.