Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Mercer University: Mercer University Central Quadrangle
Photo: Korea2006, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Mercer University

  • LocationMacon, GA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 9,124 students
Official website

Mercer University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Mercer's Religious Life office lists Catholic Campus Ministry, which meets on campus on Monday evenings and offers men's and women's groups, service, and retreats. The ministry holds no Mass of its own; it directs students to nearby parishes, and its listed parish is St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, where the ministry's chaplain serves as a parochial vicar.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 12

  • Monday–Friday8:00 AMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon
  • Saturday9:00 AMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon
  • Saturday4:30 PMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon · Saturday vigil.
  • Sunday8:30 AMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon
  • Sunday11:00 AMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon
  • Sunday5:00 PMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon
Show 6 more mass times
  • Saturday5:00 PMHoly Spirit Catholic Church, 4074 Chambers Road, Macon · Listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.
  • Sunday10:00 AMHoly Spirit Catholic Church, 4074 Chambers Road, Macon · Listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.
  • Saturday5:30 PMSt. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward Street, Macon · Listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.
  • Sunday9:00 AMSt. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward Street, Macon · Listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.
  • Sunday11:15 AMSt. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward Street, Macon · Listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.
  • Sunday1:30 PMSt. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward Street, Macon · Spanish Mass; listed by Catholic Campus Ministry; confirm with the parish.

Confession 2

  • Monday–Friday7:30 AMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon · Until 7:50 AM.
  • Saturday3:15 PMSt. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon · Until 4:15 PM.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (2)
  1. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maconstjosephmacon.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
    “Confessions: Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 7:50 AM Saturday, 3:15 – 4:15 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday and Saturday confession times.
    “Confessions: Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 7:50 AM Saturday, 3:15 – 4:15 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday and Saturday confession times.
  2. Mass Info | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/mass-info · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Holy Spirit Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM”
    The ministry lists Holy Spirit Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM.
    “Holy Spirit Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM”
    The ministry lists Holy Spirit Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM.
    “St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM (Spanish)”
    The ministry lists St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM (Spanish).
    “St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM (Spanish)”
    The ministry lists St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM (Spanish).
    “St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM (Spanish)”
    The ministry lists St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM (Spanish).
    “St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM (Spanish)”
    The ministry lists St. Peter Claver Catholic Church Masses on Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM (Spanish).

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mercer University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miBethel CME Church: 0.8 mi1Saint Joseph Catholic Church: 1.1 mi2St. Joseph Catholic Church (parish listed by Catholic Campus Ministry): 1.1 miMercer University (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Bethel CME Church — 0.8 mi
  2. Saint Joseph Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 830 Poplar Street, Macon

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BCatholic life on campus: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

71 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministries | Religious Life | Mercer Universityreligiouslife.mercer.edu/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic ministry open to all students.”
      Mercer's Religious Life office lists Catholic Campus Ministry as a Catholic ministry for students.
      “As a group, we meet weekly for dinner and discussion, and monthly for adoration, fun events, and service projects.”
      Catholic Campus Ministry meets weekly and holds monthly adoration, events and service projects.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The chaplain is a parish priest (parochial vicar at St. Joseph Catholic Church) and is not presented as a full-time campus chaplain.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Contact Us | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain: Father Fred Williams frwilliams@st-joseph.cc”
      Father Fred Williams is the chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry.
    2. Staff | St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maconstjosephmacon.org/our-church/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Fredrick Williams Parochial Vicar”
      Father Fred Williams is a parochial vicar at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryLess than weekly, or by appointment (Confession nights are listed as a ministry activity.)
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic Adoration and Confession Nights Volunteering Local Sunday Mass Carpooling Fun Events”
      The ministry lists adoration and confession nights, volunteering, local Sunday Mass carpooling, and fun events.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (Catholic Campus Ministry is the only Catholic student group found on the student organization list.)
    Sources (2)
    1. List of Student Organizations | Campus Life | Mercer Universitycampuslife.mercer.edu/macon/student-orgs/list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mercer Catholic Campus Ministry”
      Mercer Catholic Campus Ministry is listed as a student organization.
    2. Campus Ministries | Religious Life | Mercer Universityreligiouslife.mercer.edu/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic ministry open to all students.”
      Mercer's Religious Life office lists Catholic Campus Ministry as a Catholic ministry for students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Small-group Bible study, service volunteering, and retreats are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Ministries | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We have Weekly Meetings On Campus that include Bible studies, group prayer, discussion, and simply walking alongside Christ together.”
      The men's group meets weekly on campus for Bible study and prayer.
      “Tutoring at St. Peter Claver Catholic School When: TBD Time: TBD Address: 133 Ward Street Macon, GA 31204”
      The ministry lists tutoring volunteer opportunities at St. Peter Claver Catholic School, with the time to be announced.
    2. About Us | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fun Events (Retreats, Bowling, Movie Nights, and more!)”
      The ministry lists retreats among its events.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration20 to 29 times a week (22 weekly times documented: 16 Mass, 6 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • An official Mercer Religious Life listing names a Catholic campus ministry open to all students, with a chaplain named.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministries | Religious Life | Mercer Universityreligiouslife.mercer.edu/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic ministry open to all students.”
      Mercer's Religious Life office lists Catholic Campus Ministry as a Catholic ministry for students.
    2. Contact Us | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain: Father Fred Williams frwilliams@st-joseph.cc”
      Father Fred Williams is the chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry.
  • Weekday and weekend Masses, confession times and Monday meetings are published for students at nearby parishes.
    Sources (2)
    1. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maconstjosephmacon.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
      St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.
      “Confessions: Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 7:50 AM Saturday, 3:15 – 4:15 PM”
      St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday and Saturday confession times.
    2. Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Join us Mondays at 7PM in Ryals 206 for our weekly meetings!”
      The ministry's weekly meetings are held on Mondays at 7 PM in Ryals 206.

Concerns

  • The ministry holds no Mass of its own; students are directed to parishes off campus for Sunday Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic Adoration and Confession Nights Volunteering Local Sunday Mass Carpooling Fun Events”
      The ministry lists adoration and confession nights, volunteering, local Sunday Mass carpooling, and fun events.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Joseph Catholic Church (parish listed by Catholic Campus Ministry)

  • Address: 830 Poplar St., Macon, GA 31201
  • Distance from campus: 1.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: church

View on map ↗

Source: mercerccm.wordpress.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, stjosephmacon.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus, 4 location not published

Service 1

  • Tutoring at St. Peter Claver Catholic SchoolOff campus
    Time to be announced
    Volunteer tutoring at St. Peter Claver Catholic School; requires VIRTUS training.
    mercerccm.wordpress.com

Clubs and groups 3

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Eucharistic adoration and confession nights
    Adoration and confession nights listed as a ministry activity; times not stated.
    mercerccm.wordpress.com
  • Local Sunday Mass carpooling
    Carpooling for students to local Sunday Masses.
    mercerccm.wordpress.com

Social life 1

  • Retreats and fun events (bowling, movie nights)
    Retreats, bowling and movie nights listed among the ministry's events.
    mercerccm.wordpress.com

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (4)
  1. Campus Ministries | Religious Life | Mercer Universityreligiouslife.mercer.edu/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic ministry open to all students.”
    Mercer's Religious Life office lists Catholic Campus Ministry as a Catholic ministry for students.
  2. List of Student Organizations | Campus Life | Mercer Universitycampuslife.mercer.edu/macon/student-orgs/list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mercer Catholic Campus Ministry”
    Mercer Catholic Campus Ministry is listed as a student organization.
  3. Mass Info | Mercer CCMmercerccm.wordpress.com/mass-info · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “830 Poplar St. Macon, GA 31201”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church, the parish listed by the ministry, is at 830 Poplar Street.
  4. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maconstjosephmacon.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Daily Mass: 8:00 AM, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM, Saturday Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM”
    St. Joseph Catholic Church publishes weekday, Saturday vigil and Sunday Mass times.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Fred Williams (Chaplain, Catholic Campus Ministry) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
79 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.70%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.82%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,271 · ACT 28
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.11 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$14,074

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
4,807
Total students9,124
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$23,847
Cost of attendance (per year)$58,204
Median federal debt at graduation$24,199
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
70%
First-year retention82%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$58,354
Admission rate69%
Students receiving Pell grants35%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1271
SAT reading & writing590–680
SAT math570–670
ACT composite25–31
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 56 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Savannah

The Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 140447
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Mercer University a Catholic college?
No. Mercer University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Mercer Catholic Campus Ministry.
What is Mercer University’s Catholic Life Score?
73 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Mercer University?
Mass is listed at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4074 Chambers Road, Macon, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 131 Ward Street, and Macon. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Georgia · Georgia rankings