Columbia College vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL 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 Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Columbia College vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia College Chicago than Merrimack ($29,473 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College Chicago are 4.2% lower than at Merrimack College ($20,629 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 58.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $19,874 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at Merrimack than at Columbia College Chicago (about $19,874 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Merrimack College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 38.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($31,550 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Columbia College vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College 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).

• Merrimack College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 46%)

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.