Lesley University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Lesley University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley 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 Lesley University than Merrimack ($32,587 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lesley University are 7.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($19,920 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 57.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $19,706 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Merrimack than at Lesley University (about $19,706 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Merrimack College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($31,550 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Lesley University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.