Clark University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark University in Worcester, 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 Clark University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Clark University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark University 8:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Clark University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark University 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 Clark University than Merrimack ($33,865 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 41.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,500 vs. $21,525).
• Clark University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merrimack (about $4,905 more per year; $58,867.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Clark University than at Merrimack College (about $4,905 more per year; $58,867.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Clark University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark University students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($34,667 vs. $31,550).

Clark University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark University or Merrimack? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Merrimack and Clark University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark University 1288/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clark University - Test optional; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clark University Jan 15, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Clark University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Clark University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Clark University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clark University and Merrimack? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Clark University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Merrimack College's (70%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Clark University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $50,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Merrimack College and Clark University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Merrimack College and Clark University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merrimack students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.