Merrimack vs. Franklin Pierce University

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Franklin Pierce University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 1,654 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin Pierce University is in Rindge, NH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin Pierce University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Franklin Pierce University 13:1.

Merrimack vs. Franklin Pierce University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Franklin Pierce 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 Franklin Pierce University than Merrimack ($26,152 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin Pierce University are 23.1% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,548 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Franklin Pierce University (about $7,520 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $46,442.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Merrimack than at Franklin Pierce University (about $7,520 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $46,442.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Franklin Pierce University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin Pierce University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($38,033 vs. $31,550).

Merrimack vs. Franklin Pierce University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFranklin Pierce University 1057/1282.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Franklin Pierce University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Franklin Pierce University (2.97).
• Franklin Pierce University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 13.2% at Franklin Pierce University.

Merrimack vs. Franklin Pierce University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Franklin Pierce 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 Franklin Pierce University's (51%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Franklin Pierce University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin Pierce University and Merrimack graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Franklin Pierce University and Merrimack graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Franklin Pierce University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.