Mercer University Among U.S. News Top Regional Universities in the South for 15th Consecutive Year

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MACON, Ga. – Mercer University is ranked among the top 10 universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report for the 15th consecutive year and is the highest-rated Georgia institution in any category. Mercer is the No. 2 best value in the South among regional universities and the No. 8 “Best Regional University” in the South, according to the 2014 Best Colleges rankings, released on Sept. 10. Additionally, Mercer's School of Engineering is again in the top 50 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, coming in at No. 41, three spots higher than last year.

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings define a regional university as one that offers a full range of undergraduate majors and master's programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs. The 621 universities in that category are ranked against others in one of four geographic regions – North, South, Midwest and West – because such universities tend to draw students most heavily from surrounding states. Mercer has been ranked among the South's top 15 regional universities for 24 consecutive years. This year's overall score of 82 places it among the top 25 regional universities in the nation.

The magazine's “Great Schools at Great Prices” rankings determine the best values among national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional colleges based on a school's academic quality and the previous year's net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

Mercer University School of Engineering, established in 1985, consistently ranks among the nation's top engineering programs that have bachelor's or master's as their terminal degrees. Mercer is one of only four undergraduate engineering programs in the Southeast to be ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top 50.

About Mercer University

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 12 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing, health professions, and continuing and professional studies – on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah – and four regional academic centers across the state. The Mercer Health Sciences Center, launched July 1, 2012, includes the University's medical, nursing, health sciences and pharmacy schools. Mercer is affiliated with four teaching hospitals – Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. The University also has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. It operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu