SCSU vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

SCSU vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University than Merrimack ($19,827 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 30.6% lower than at Merrimack College ($14,938 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 301.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $40,524 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.1% higher at Merrimack than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $26,584 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Southern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 216.2% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($31,550 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

SCSU vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU 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 SCSU 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.