Delaware State University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Delaware State University in Dover, DE 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 Delaware State University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 5,327 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Delaware State University is located in Dover, DE (Small City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Delaware State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Delaware State University 17:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Delaware State University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware State 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 Delaware State University than Merrimack ($13,953 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Delaware State University are 22.6% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,664 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 405.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Delaware State University (about $43,292 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $10,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.5% higher at Merrimack than at Delaware State University (about $33,328 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $20,634.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Delaware State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 137.1% larger than aid received by Delaware State University students ($31,550 vs. $13,309).

Delaware State University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delaware State 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 Delaware State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Delaware State University 800/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Delaware State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Delaware State University - Test optional; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Delaware State University Feb 1, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Delaware State University (3.09).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Delaware State University (46.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.7% at Delaware State University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Delaware State University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Delaware State 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).

• Merrimack College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Delaware State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Delaware State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Merrimack College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Delaware State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Merrimack graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Delaware State University graduates ($279 vs. $294).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Delaware State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 32%)

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.