Founded in 1833 in Penfield by Georgia Baptists and relocated to Macon in 1871, Mercer University is the oldest private university in Georgia. Spanning a scenic 130-acre main campus featuring red-brick historic structures and modern laboratory facilities in Macon alongside regional campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus, Mercer connects liberal arts tradition with comprehensive professional training. You can examine its founding charter, historic relocation, and institutional growth through the Mercer University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you study at Mercer, you enter a supportive academic setting defined by small class sizes, direct faculty mentorship, and a deep commitment to service learning. Through the signature Mercer On Mission program, you collaborate with faculty members on international service research projects that address clean water, prosthetics delivery, and community health globally.
Premier Academic Programs
Mercer organizes its instruction across 12 specialized schools and colleges holding national reputations for excellence:
- Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics: Top-ranked business school offering rigorous training in corporate finance, marketing analytics, healthcare management, and international business. Explore degree options on the Stetson School of Business portal.
- Mercer University School of Medicine: Dedicated exclusively to training compassionate physicians committed to practicing primary care in rural and underserved areas of Georgia.
- School of Engineering: Delivers hands-on education in biomedical engineering, mechanical design, electrical systems, and software engineering.
- School of Law: One of the nation's oldest law schools, famous for pioneering comprehensive practical legal writing and trial advocacy training.
- College of Pharmacy: Premier pharmacy school based on the Atlanta campus, driving clinical pharmacology research and patient care.
"At Mercer, we learn to serve, a guiding institutional philosophy framing academic study around practical community benefit."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate life unfolds around the historic Quadrangle, the Cruz Plaza green spaces, and University Center. School spirit revolves around Toby the Bear, the official mascot chosen by student vote in 1949 who leads cheers during NCAA Division I Southern Conference athletic events. You can read about the mascot history and spirit traditions on the official Mercer Traditions page. Cheering inside Five Star Stadium for football games, taking part in Bear Day spring celebrations, and joining over 150 student clubs creates a close-knit campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Rural Healthcare
Mercer operates an active research framework focused on biomedical engineering, rural medicine, and defense technology:
- Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC): Operating in Warner Robins, MERC provides applied engineering research, software development, and structural testing for defense partners.
- Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities: Dedicated research center working to improve healthcare access, maternal care, and chronic disease outcomes in rural communities. Learn more via Mercer Research Operations.
- Mercer Innovation Center: Regional entrepreneurship hub offering incubation space, mentorship, and seed funding for student and community startups.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of governors, cabinet officers, legal champions, and corporate leaders, including:
- Griffin Bell: Former Attorney General of the United States and federal judge who earned his law degree at Mercer.
- Nathan Deal: Former Governor of Georgia and U.S. Congressman who earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at Mercer.
- Cathy Cox: Former Secretary of State of Georgia and current university president who earned her law degree at Mercer.
- Nancy Grace: Legal commentator, television host, and former prosecutor who earned her undergraduate and law degrees at Mercer.
Mercer University provides generous merit scholarship coverage and need-based financial aid programs for qualified domestic and international applicants. Review full admission requirements and deadlines on the official Mercer Admissions portal.