Fairfield University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairfield University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield 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 Merrimack College than Fairfield University ($38,504 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 7.8% lower than at Merrimack College ($19,838 vs. $21,525).
• Fairfield University is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merrimack (about $4,388 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Fairfield University than at Merrimack College (about $4,388 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Fairfield University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 20.1% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($31,550 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield 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 Fairfield University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Fairfield University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Merrimack College's (70%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Merrimack graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Merrimack College and Fairfield University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Merrimack College and Fairfield University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield 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.