Mercer University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$58,354
in 2021+21% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 21% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 32% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 18 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 52% | $8,471 |
| 1999 | — | — | 45% | $8,875 |
| 2000 | — | — | 55% | $9,075 |
| 2001 | — | — | 51% | $10,457 |
| 2002 | — | — | 49% | $10,000 |
| 2003 | — | — | 53% | $9,750 |
| 2004 | — | — | 50% | $11,000 |
| 2005 | — | — | 49% | $11,548 |
| 2006 | — | — | 54% | $12,204 |
| 2007 | — | — | 51% | $12,500 |
| 2008 | $48,400 | — | 53% | $13,250 |
| 2009 | — | — | 57% | $13,567 |
| 2010 | $47,400 | $18,052 | 63% | $13,800 |
| 2011 | — | $18,739 | 60% | $14,848 |
| 2012 | $46,600 | $17,761 | 60% | $16,000 |
| 2013 | $46,800 | $17,490 | 63% | $16,063 |
| 2014 | $46,700 | $19,472 | 59% | $17,590 |
| 2015 | $48,200 | $20,347 | 63% | $15,958 |
| 2016 | — | $20,423 | 61% | $18,522 |
| 2017 | — | $20,704 | 66% | $21,350 |
| 2018 | — | $20,812 | 64% | $20,000 |
| 2019 | — | $20,828 | 66% | $20,014 |
| 2020 | — | $21,464 | 66% | $19,149 |
| 2021 | $58,354 | $20,853 | 73% | $17,655 |
| 2022 | — | $20,884 | 74% | — |
| 2023 | — | $21,627 | 74% | — |
| 2024 | — | $22,350 | 74% | — |
| 2025 | — | $23,847 | 70% | — |