Merrimack vs. Davenport University

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Davenport University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 4,815 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Davenport University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davenport University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Davenport University 18:1.

Merrimack vs. Davenport University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Davenport 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 Davenport University than Merrimack ($18,538 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davenport University are 39.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,928 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 120.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davenport University (about $29,496 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $24,466.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.6% higher at Merrimack than at Davenport University (about $29,496 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $24,466.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Davenport University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 67.8% larger than aid received by Davenport University students ($31,550 vs. $18,803).

Merrimack vs. Davenport University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Davenport University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Davenport University (3.3).
• Davenport University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 13.5% at Davenport University.

Merrimack vs. Davenport University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Davenport 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).

• Merrimack College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Davenport University's (25%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than Davenport University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davenport University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Davenport University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Davenport University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 32%)

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.