Merrimack vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Merrimack vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than Merrimack ($21,530 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 55.6% lower than at Merrimack College ($9,552 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 108.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $28,136 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at Merrimack than at Columbia College (about $28,136 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 98.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($31,550 vs. $15,882).

Merrimack vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and Merrimack.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Merrimack (3.3).

Merrimack vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Columbia College? 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 Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,966 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 40%)

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.