Merrimack vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Western New England University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Western New England University 12:1.

Merrimack vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Western New England 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 Western New England University than Merrimack ($27,056 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 27.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($15,570 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western New England University (about $6,142 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $47,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Merrimack than at Western New England University (about $6,142 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $47,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Western New England University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($33,067 vs. $31,550).

Merrimack vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Western New England 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 Western New England University and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Western New England University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

Merrimack vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Western New England 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 Western New England University's (61%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Merrimack graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western New England University and Merrimack graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Western New England University and Merrimack graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New England University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.