Mercer was founded in 1833 in Macon and now has more than 8,200 students on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah, and at regional academic centers in Savannah, Henry County, Douglas County and Eastman.

The 300-acre Atlanta campus, just inside the northeast Perimeter, is a vital and growing part of Mercer, which has been part of Atlanta’s academic community since 1960. Atlanta degree programs focus primarily on graduate, professional and doctoral studies in pharmacy and health studies, nursing, theology, business and economics, education as well as continuing and professional studies.

Mercer's undergraduate liberal arts program as well as law and engineering schools are located in Macon. The school of medicine offers programs primarily in Macon but also in Savannah and Atlanta.