MACON/ATLANTA — Mercer University is once again one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates according to The Princeton Review®. For the 24th year, Mercer is featured in the education services’ annual Best Colleges guide.
In the guide’s 2027 detailed lists, Mercer was included on the lists for:
- Best Value Colleges based on a combination of institutional and student survey data, including academic rigor, affordability and career outcomes for graduates.
- Best in the South
The Princeton Review chose the colleges for The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition based on data it collects from surveys of students attending the colleges in categories including academics, amenities, campus services and extracurriculars.
Only about 14% of America’s nearly 2,800 four-year colleges are included in the guide. The rankings are based on data from the surveys of 172,000 students and administrators at the 392 schools in the book.
“Mercer’s recognition by The Princeton Review for the 24th consecutive year is a testament to our exceptional student experience,” said Mercer University President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D. “Through dedicated faculty, strong support networks and an active campus community, our students are empowered to engage deeply, connect meaningfully and achieve their goals. We take immense pride in being ranked among the nation’s top colleges — especially since this recognition comes straight from our students’ own experiences.”
The Princeton Review does not rank the institutions in the book from 1 to 392 but provides 50 separate ranking lists naming the top 25 schools in various categories as well as detailed profiles curated from more than 170,000 student and administrator surveys.
In the guide’s detailed rankings, Mercer ranked:
#15 Best Schools for Making an Impact (private schools) based on community service opportunities, student government, sustainability efforts and on-campus student engagement
#17 Students Love Their School Teams
#21 Best Student Support and Counseling Services
#25 Friendliest Students
Academics:
In the profile, the editors praise Mercer, saying that many students 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.” They also report that students say Mercer “challenges you to learn and do better, and has a great amount of opportunities to enrich your learning.”
Campus Life:
Citing the beautiful campus, the “massive intramural sports program,” Bearstock music festival and a “ginormous selection of clubs,” the University’s offerings lead students to conclude “the community is truly unmatched if you reach out and get involved.”
Student Body:
“Even though this is a small school in Georgia,” students said, “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.” According to the editors, Mercer is far from being overly competitive. Rather, students feel supported by their peers, who “are not just people you see in passing, they are people who will uplift you and inspire you to continue to do your best.”
“We are delighted to name Mercer University one of our Best Colleges for 2027, and we recommend it to students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of The Best 392 Colleges. “Mercer University has outstanding academic programs. We also took into account the candid feedback we received about it from its very own customers — its enrolled students,” he added.
Earlier this year, The Princeton Review named Mercer to its 2026 Mental Health Services Honor Roll. The designation recognizes institutions for their exceptional dedication and commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being.
Visit The Princeton Review website to read the full Mercer profile and review.
About The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review, founded in 1981, is an education services company known for its tutoring, test-prep, admission services, school rankings, books, and other resources. Headquartered in New York, NY, it is not affiliated with Princeton University, and it is not a magazine.
