Merrimack vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 3,650 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

Merrimack vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Merrimack ($15,984 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 48.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($11,040 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 121.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $29,562 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.2% higher at Merrimack than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $29,562 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 60.1% larger than aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students ($31,550 vs. $19,706).

Merrimack vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Merrimack.

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Merrimack vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 43%)

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.