National Louis University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

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

National Louis University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

National Louis University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis University or Merrimack? 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 National Louis University than Merrimack ($13,150 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National Louis University are 31.7% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,700 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 324.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $41,257 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 324.7% higher at Merrimack than at National Louis University (about $41,257 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at National Louis University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 185.4% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($31,550 vs. $11,056).

National Louis University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National Louis University or Merrimack? 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 Merrimack and National Louis University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: National Louis University - Test-free; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at National Louis University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

National Louis University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National Louis University and Merrimack? 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 National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than National Louis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $7,163 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($19,837 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($205 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis 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.