Framingham State University vs. Merrimack

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than Framingham State University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 4,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Framingham State University is located in Framingham, MA (Small City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Framingham State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Framingham State University 12:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Framingham State University vs. Merrimack Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Framingham State 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 Framingham State University than Merrimack ($16,114 vs. $38,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Framingham State University are 28.9% lower than at Merrimack College ($15,310 vs. $21,525).
• Merrimack College is 352.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Framingham State University (about $42,042 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $11,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 199.8% higher at Merrimack than at Framingham State University (about $35,962 more per year; $53,962.00 vs. $18,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Framingham State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 178.3% larger than aid received by Framingham State University students ($31,550 vs. $11,338).

Framingham State University vs. Merrimack Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Framingham State 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 Framingham State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Framingham State University 1100/1280.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Framingham State University - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Merrimack - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Framingham State University Feb 15, 2027; Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Merrimack students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Framingham State University (3.07).
• Framingham State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Merrimack (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Framingham State University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Framingham State University vs. Merrimack Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Framingham State 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 Framingham State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Merrimack College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Framingham State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Framingham State University graduates have a $2,295 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($24,705 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Framingham State University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Framingham 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.