Merrimack vs. CU

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

Merrimack College
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 70%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU. Average net price is $18,499 vs $38,504 at Merrimack.
  • Graduation: Merrimack 70% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Merrimack $58,000 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Merrimack College Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
Merrimack70%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Merrimack-
CU-
Average net price
CU $20,005 less
Merrimack$38,504
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
CU $26,122 less
Merrimack$53,962
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
CU $26,122 less
Merrimack$53,962
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
Merrimack +36 pts
Merrimack70%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
Merrimack +$18,100
Merrimack$58,000
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Merrimack 14,070
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • Merrimack 9,852
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • Merrimack 70%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Merrimack 9.9%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Merrimack
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • Merrimack
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • Merrimack 3.3
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Merrimack B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Merrimack Unavailable
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Merrimack Low
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • Merrimack
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • Merrimack
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • Merrimack Test-free
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Merrimack Sep 1, 2026
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • Merrimack $21,525
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • Merrimack $38,504
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • Merrimack $31,550
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Merrimack 100%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Merrimack 70%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Merrimack $58,000
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Merrimack 78%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Merrimack $27,000
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • Merrimack $279
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Merrimack 13:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Merrimack
    • Business (32%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • Merrimack North Andover, MA
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • Merrimack Large Suburban
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Merrimack 5,862
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • Merrimack Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Merrimack
  • CU

Comparable Facts

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

Merrimack College is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (5,862 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Merrimack College is located in North Andover, MA (Large Suburban setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Merrimack College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Merrimack College 13:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 40.5% lower than at Merrimack College ($12,800 vs. $21,525).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 93.8% higher at Merrimack than at Cumberland University (about $26,122 more per year; $53,962 vs. $27,840).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Cumberland University students ($31,550 vs. $24,703).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Merrimack and CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled freshman Merrimack students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $5,271 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($21,729 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($224 vs. $279).
  • More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 60%).

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

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