Merrimack vs. Salem State University

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

Merrimack College
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Merrimack (70% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salem State University. Average net price is $17,541 vs $38,504 at Merrimack.
  • Graduation: Merrimack 70% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Merrimack $58,000 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Merrimack College Salem State University
Acceptance rate
Merrimack more selective
Merrimack70%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salem State University higher
Merrimack-
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
Salem State University $20,963 less
Merrimack$38,504
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Salem State University $41,624 less
Merrimack$53,962
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $34,431 less
Merrimack$53,962
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Merrimack +28 pts
Merrimack70%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Merrimack +$13,600
Merrimack$58,000
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Merrimack 14,070
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Merrimack 9,852
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • Merrimack 70%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Merrimack 9.9%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Merrimack
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Merrimack
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Merrimack 3.3
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • Merrimack B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Merrimack Unavailable
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Merrimack Low
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • Merrimack
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • Merrimack
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Merrimack Test-free
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Merrimack Sep 1, 2026
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Merrimack $53,962
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • Merrimack $21,525
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • Merrimack $38,504
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • Merrimack $31,550
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Merrimack 100%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Merrimack 70%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Merrimack $58,000
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Merrimack 78%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Merrimack $27,000
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Merrimack $279
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Merrimack 13:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Merrimack
    • Business (32%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Merrimack North Andover, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Merrimack Large Suburban
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Merrimack 5,862
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Merrimack Private 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Merrimack
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Merrimack based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 5,862 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 21.8% lower than at Merrimack College ($16,838 vs. $21,525).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 176.3% higher at Merrimack than at Salem State University (about $34,431 more per year; $53,962 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merrimack College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Merrimack College students is 205.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($31,550 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Merrimack and Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Merrimack Sep 1, 2026; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Merrimack average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Merrimack vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Merrimack graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merrimack graduates ($248 vs. $279).
  • More Merrimack graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State 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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