Merrimack vs. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 617 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is in Cheyney, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 15:1.

Merrimack vs. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Cheyney University of Pennsylvania? 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania than Merrimack ($14,207 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania are 48.8% lower than at Merrimack College ($11,016 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 394.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (about $43,058 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $10,904.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186% higher at Merrimack than at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (about $35,092 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,870.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 156.7% larger than aid received by Cheyney University of Pennsylvania students ($31,550 vs. $12,290).

Merrimack vs. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Cheyney University of Pennsylvania? 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Merrimack.

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Cheyney University of Pennsylvania - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.93 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (2.37).

Merrimack vs. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania? 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania's (24%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Merrimack College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates ($27,000 vs. $33,500).
• Among borrowers, Merrimack graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates ($279 vs. $346).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cheyney University of Pennsylvania students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 19%)

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.