Cambridge College vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Cambridge College in Boston, MA with Merrimack College in North Andover, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Cambridge College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 1,835 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cambridge College is located in Boston, MA (Midsize City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cambridge College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cambridge College 12:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Cambridge College vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cambridge College or Merrimack? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cambridge College than Merrimack ($31,072 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cambridge College are 44.3% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,000 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 193.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cambridge College (about $35,584 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 193.6% higher at Merrimack than at Cambridge College (about $35,584 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Cambridge College (100% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 951.7% larger than aid received by Cambridge College students ($31,550 vs. $3,000).

Cambridge College vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cambridge College or Merrimack? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Merrimack and Cambridge College.

• Cambridge College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cambridge College - Open admission; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.

Cambridge College vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cambridge College and Merrimack? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Merrimack College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Cambridge College's (8%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Cambridge College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $39,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cambridge College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 41%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.