Hampshire College vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, 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 Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hampshire College vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire 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 Hampshire College than Merrimack ($27,895 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 25.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($15,958 vs. $21,525).
• Hampshire College is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merrimack (about $4,934 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Hampshire College than at Merrimack College (about $4,934 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Merrimack College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($46,145 vs. $31,550).

Hampshire College vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Hampshire College vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire 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 Hampshire College's (61%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($23,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.