Merrimack vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Johnson & Wales University Providence in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Johnson & Wales University-Providence based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 4,303 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Johnson & Wales University Providence is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson & Wales University Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Johnson & Wales University Providence 14:1.

Merrimack vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University Providence than Merrimack ($32,057 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson & Wales University Providence are 8% lower than at Merrimack College ($19,800 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Johnson & Wales University-Providence (about $11,543 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $42,419.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Merrimack than at Johnson & Wales University Providence (about $11,543 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $42,419.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Johnson & Wales University Providence (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Johnson & Wales University Providence students ($31,550 vs. $28,361).

Merrimack vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson & Wales University Providence 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson & Wales University Providence 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Johnson & Wales University-Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Johnson & Wales University-Providence has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 15.8% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence.

Merrimack vs. Johnson & Wales University-Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Johnson & Wales University-Providence? 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 Johnson & Wales University Providence's (51%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnson & Wales University Providence graduates have a $100 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johnson & Wales University-Providence students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 66%)

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.