Merrimack vs. New Jersey City University

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than New Jersey City University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 5,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); New Jersey City University is in Jersey City, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New Jersey City University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; New Jersey City University 13:1.

Merrimack vs. New Jersey City University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University than Merrimack ($16,724 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Jersey City University are 21.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,844 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 273.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Jersey City University (about $39,502 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 273.2% higher at Merrimack than at New Jersey City University (about $39,502 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at New Jersey City University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 172.4% larger than aid received by New Jersey City University students ($31,550 vs. $11,582).

Merrimack vs. New Jersey City University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNew Jersey City University 890/1140.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; New Jersey City University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at New Jersey City University (3.24).
• New Jersey City University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 9.8% at New Jersey City University.

Merrimack vs. New Jersey City University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University's (39%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than New Jersey City University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have a $9,645 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($17,355 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($179 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Jersey City University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 49%)

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.