Merrimack vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

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

Empire State University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Empire State University 17:1.

Merrimack vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Empire 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 Empire State University than Merrimack ($11,659 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 33.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,230 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 605.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $46,314 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.3% higher at Merrimack than at Empire State University (about $36,404 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Empire State University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 282.7% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($31,550 vs. $8,243).

Merrimack vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Empire State University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.

Merrimack vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Empire 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 Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Empire State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 44%)

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.