University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 5,862 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than Merrimack ($17,768 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 11.1% lower than at Merrimack College ($19,128 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 239.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $38,054 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Merrimack than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $15,837 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at University of Massachusetts Boston (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 124.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($31,550 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Merrimack - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at Merrimack (3.3).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 58%)

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.