Merrimack vs. Keystone College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Keystone College in La Plume, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Keystone College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Keystone College is in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Keystone College 12:1.

Merrimack vs. Keystone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Keystone 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 Keystone College than Merrimack ($21,952 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 41.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,600 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 194.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $35,662 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.9% higher at Merrimack than at Keystone College (about $35,662 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Keystone College (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 211.8% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($31,550 vs. $10,119).

Merrimack vs. Keystone College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKeystone College 910/1130.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Keystone College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Keystone College has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 10.8% at Keystone College.

Merrimack vs. Keystone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Keystone 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $24,600 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Keystone College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 57%)

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.