Longy vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Longy School of Music of Bard College 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 Longy based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 317 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Longy vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Longy 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 Longy ($38,504 vs. $49,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Longy School of Music of Bard College are 31.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,738 vs. $21,525).
• Longy School of Music of Bard College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merrimack (about $1,313 more per year; $55,275.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Longy than at Merrimack College (about $1,313 more per year; $55,275.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Longy School of Music of Bard College as at Merrimack College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Longy School of Music of Bard College students ($31,550 vs. $22,635).

Longy vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Longy or Merrimack? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Merrimack and Longy.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Longy - Not reported; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.

Longy vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Longy and Merrimack? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Merrimack College's six-year graduation rate is 70%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Longy.
• Graduates from Merrimack College have median earnings of about $58,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Longy.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Longy School of Music of Bard College graduates have a $806 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,194 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Longy graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Longy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merrimack students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.