In 2022, 33.9% of Mercer County students played sports on collegiate teams, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The county’s universities were represented by 483 men and 287 women who played for one or more sports teams in 2022. This does not include students playing intramural sports.
Most of Mercer County students (441) played for Concord University during this period.
Mercer County paid a total of $3,948,649 in athletically-related financial aid during 2022.
Data shows that football was the most popular sport played, followed by soccer, and baseball.
Students who play sports often have higher graduation rates than non-athletes. More female than male athletes graduate.
The average institutional gift aid for student-athletes is $17,000, with 80% of them receive some kind of academic grant or need-based scholarship.
| Institution | Total Enrollment | Student-athletes Enrollment | Student-athletes ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord University | 1,280 | 441 | 2.9 |
| Bluefield State College | 994 | 329 | 3.0 |
