Merrimack vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Merrimack vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Salem State 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 Salem State University than Merrimack ($17,541 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 21.8% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,838 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 337.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $41,624 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 176.3% higher at Merrimack than at Salem State University (about $34,431 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 205.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($31,550 vs. $10,319).

Merrimack vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Salem State 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 Salem State University and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Merrimack vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Salem State 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 Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.