Merrimack vs. Salve Regina University

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Salve Regina University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 2,791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Merrimack vs. Salve Regina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Salve Regina 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 Salve Regina University than Merrimack ($38,307 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salve Regina University are 13.8% lower than at Merrimack College ($18,550 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salve Regina University (about $3,862 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $50,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Merrimack than at Salve Regina University (about $3,862 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $50,100.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Salve Regina University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salve Regina University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($32,350 vs. $31,550).

Merrimack vs. Salve Regina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Salve Regina 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 Salve Regina University and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalve Regina University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalve Regina University 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Salve Regina University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Salve Regina University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Salve Regina University (68.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 13.2% at Salve Regina University.

Merrimack vs. Salve Regina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Salve Regina 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).

• Salve Regina University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Merrimack College's (70%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Salve Regina University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salve Regina University and Merrimack graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salve Regina University and Merrimack graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Salve Regina University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merrimack students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.