Merrimack vs. Russell Sage College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Russell Sage College in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Russell Sage College based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 2,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Russell Sage College is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Russell Sage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Russell Sage College 10:1.

Merrimack vs. Russell Sage College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College than Merrimack ($21,046 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Russell Sage College are 34.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,048 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 41.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Russell Sage College (about $15,798 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at Merrimack than at Russell Sage College (about $15,798 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Russell Sage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Russell Sage College students ($31,550 vs. $29,295).

Merrimack vs. Russell Sage College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Russell Sage College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Russell Sage College (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Russell Sage College (53.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 19.4% at Russell Sage College.

Merrimack vs. Russell Sage College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College's (58%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Russell Sage College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Russell Sage College 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 Russell Sage College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

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.