Merrimack vs. Bryant University

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Bryant University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 3,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Merrimack vs. Bryant University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Bryant University? 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 Bryant University ($38,504 vs. $42,139).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bryant University are 18.6% lower than at Merrimack College ($17,528 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryant University (about $1,285 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $52,677.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Merrimack than at Bryant University (about $1,285 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $52,677.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Bryant University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Bryant University students ($31,550 vs. $28,035).

Merrimack vs. Bryant University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Bryant University? 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 Bryant University and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBryant University 1190/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBryant University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Bryant University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Bryant University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bryant University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Bryant University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 13.7% at Bryant University.

Merrimack vs. Bryant University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Bryant University? 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).

• Bryant University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Merrimack College's (70%).
• Graduates from Bryant University earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than Merrimack graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,500 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bryant University and Merrimack graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bryant University and Merrimack graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Bryant University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merrimack students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.