Merrimack vs. Westfield State University

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Westfield State University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 4,588 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Merrimack vs. Westfield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Westfield 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 Westfield State University than Merrimack ($17,406 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westfield State University are 34.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,018 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 343.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westfield State University (about $41,783 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $12,179.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.5% higher at Merrimack than at Westfield State University (about $35,703 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,259.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Westfield State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 248.5% larger than aid received by Westfield State University students ($31,550 vs. $9,054).

Merrimack vs. Westfield State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestfield State University 980/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestfield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Westfield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Westfield State University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Westfield State University (3.3).
• Westfield State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.4%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 15.2% at Westfield State University.

Merrimack vs. Westfield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Westfield 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 Westfield State University's (58%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Westfield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westfield State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Westfield State University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($235 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westfield State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.