Merrimack vs. Southern New Hampshire University

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern New Hampshire University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (189,531 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Southern New Hampshire University is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Southern New Hampshire University 24:1.

Merrimack vs. Southern New Hampshire University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University than Merrimack ($36,501 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern New Hampshire University are 40.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,800 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 213.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern New Hampshire University (about $36,762 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 213.7% higher at Merrimack than at Southern New Hampshire University (about $36,762 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Southern New Hampshire University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 600.2% larger than aid received by Southern New Hampshire University students ($31,550 vs. $4,506).

Merrimack vs. Southern New Hampshire University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University and Merrimack.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Southern New Hampshire University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern New Hampshire University (3.18).
• Southern New Hampshire University has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 38% at Southern New Hampshire University.

Merrimack vs. Southern New Hampshire University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University's (61%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Southern New Hampshire University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have a $8,184 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($18,816 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($194 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern New Hampshire University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 51%)

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.