Merrimack vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Merrimack College is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

Merrimack vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merrimack or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than Merrimack ($30,701 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 24.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,200 vs. $21,525).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merrimack (about $9,998 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Merrimack College (about $9,998 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $53,962.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 54.3% larger than aid received by Merrimack College students ($48,666 vs. $31,550).

Merrimack vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merrimack or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Merrimack.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merrimack - Test-free; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• Merrimack has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Merrimack vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merrimack and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Merrimack College's (70%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merrimack students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

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.