Lesley University vs. Merrimack

Lesley University and Merrimack College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Lesley University
Merrimack College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Merrimack (70% admitted vs 96.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lesley University. Average net price is $32,587 vs $38,504 at Merrimack.
  • Graduation: Lesley University 49% vs Merrimack 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lesley University $38,600 vs Merrimack $58,000 (median).
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Key differences

Lesley University Merrimack College
Acceptance rate
Merrimack more selective
Lesley University96.9%
Merrimack70%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lesley University-
Merrimack-
Average net price
Lesley University $5,917 less
Lesley University$32,587
Merrimack$38,504
In-state tuition
Lesley University $19,706 less
Lesley University$34,256
Merrimack$53,962
Out-of-state tuition
Lesley University $19,706 less
Lesley University$34,256
Merrimack$53,962
Graduation rate
Merrimack +21 pts
Lesley University49%
Merrimack70%
Median earnings (10 years)
Merrimack +$19,400
Lesley University$38,600
Merrimack$58,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Merrimack 14,070
  • Admitted
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Merrimack 9,852
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Merrimack 70%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Merrimack 9.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Merrimack 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lesley University B+
  • Merrimack B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Merrimack Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack Low
  • SAT range
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack
  • ACT range
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack
  • Submit test scores
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Merrimack Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack Sep 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • Room & board
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Merrimack $21,525
  • Average net price
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Merrimack $38,504
  • Average grant aid
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • Merrimack $31,550
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lesley University 100%
  • Merrimack 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Merrimack 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Merrimack $58,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Merrimack 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Merrimack $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lesley University $251
  • Merrimack $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Merrimack 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Merrimack
    • Business (32%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Merrimack North Andover, MA
  • Setting
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Merrimack Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Merrimack 5,862
  • Type
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • Merrimack Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lesley University
  • Merrimack

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Merrimack College in North Andover, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Merrimack College is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 2,557 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Merrimack College is in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Merrimack College 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lesley University are 7.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($19,920 vs. $21,525).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Merrimack than at Lesley University (about $19,706 more per year; $53,962 vs. $34,256).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Merrimack College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($31,550 vs. $19,167).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Lesley University and Merrimack.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lesley University average a 3.31 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Merrimack (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 9.9% at Merrimack.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($251 vs. $279).
  • More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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