MACON, Ga. — Mercer University is once again one of the nation’s best colleges for students seeking a great education with excellent career services and at a relatively affordable price, according to The Princeton Review®, which released its Best Value Colleges for 2027 list on Sept. 29.
Out of more than 650 institutions surveyed, The Princeton Review® chose 209 schools for its 2027 list. The schools that made the most recent list earned the highest ROI (Return on Investment) ratings, which are based on surveys of administrators during the 2025-26 academic year. Survey topics covered included academics, cost, financial aid, graduation rates and student debt.
Mercer received an ROI rating of 86 on a scale of 1-99. The selections were based on data from the company’s surveys of administrators at more than 650 colleges in 2025-26, its surveys of students attending the schools and data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard on school alumni career and salary statistics.
In the University’s profile, The Princeton Review’s editors praised the institution for its beautiful campus and cite the quality of Mercer University’s education as a high point, applauding a curriculum that provides “a lot of versatile exposure to different subjects.”
At Mercer, “Everyone Majors in Changing the World,” and the review’s editors say this can be seen especially in study abroad options that are available to every major and which range from semester and year-long programs to shorter, faculty-led trips or service-learning experiences. Even at home, there are “plenty of ways to gain leadership and research experience” since Mercer is known for its research opportunities.
Survey-takers said “the community is truly unmatched if you reach out and get involved,” and “even though this is a small school in Georgia, there are people from all over who attend Mercer.” What unites them is that they’re “full of school spirit” and “highly engaged on campus and in our community.”
“We congratulate Mercer University and all the exceptional institutions that made our ‘Best Value Colleges for 2027’ lists,” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review. “In our opinion, they are truly the most exceptional in the nation at delivering outstanding academics, affordable cost and great career foundations. We recommend them highly to college applicants and we salute them for all they do to help students with need afford to attend them via comparatively low sticker prices and/or extraordinarily generous financial aid — all while providing an amazing college experience that’s worth every penny.”
The Princeton Review does not rank the Best Value Colleges hierarchically on a single list, from 1 to 209, but reports seven categories of ranking lists for distinctions from financial aid to career placement.
In August, for the 24th consecutive year, The Princeton Review® named Mercer one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates, including the university in its annual book, The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition. Mercer was on the Best in the South list and included in rankings for Best Schools for Making an Impact (private schools), Students Love Their School Teams, Best Student Support and Counseling Services and Friendliest Students.
