Merrimack vs. Peirce College

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Peirce College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 929 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Merrimack vs. Peirce College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Peirce 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 Peirce College than Merrimack ($13,290 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 59.1% lower than at Merrimack College ($8,800 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 258.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peirce College (about $38,902 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 258.3% higher at Merrimack than at Peirce College (about $38,902 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Peirce College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 487.5% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($31,550 vs. $5,370).

Merrimack vs. Peirce College Admissions comparison

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

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Peirce College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.

Merrimack vs. Peirce College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Peirce 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 Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Peirce College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Merrimack College graduates have a $9,125 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($27,000 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, Merrimack graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($279 vs. $373).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 32%)

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.