At $37,899/yr net price, Merrimack College graduates earn $75,584/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $41,584/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $37,899 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $151,596 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,584/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$41,584/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,376/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,509/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,926/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,097/yr |
| $110,001+ | $41,477/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,508 | $20,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,327 | $27,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,160 | $24,731 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,783 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $36,312 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $36,141 | $27,000 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor | $35,600 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
72.1% of students at Merrimack College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Merrimack College costs $37,899 a year net, and the median graduate earns $75,584 ten years out. That combination works, but the gap between the sticker and the payoff depends heavily on what you study. The 72% graduation rate and 84% retention rate mean most students who start finish, which protects you from the worst ROI outcome: paying for years and leaving with debt but no degree.
The program-level numbers tell a harder story than the school-wide median. Business Administration graduates start around $44,000, the highest of any tracked major here, while Education graduates start near $29,700. That's a $15,000 first-year gap for the same tuition and roughly the same $27,000 debt load. Communication, Psychology, and Physiology all land in the mid-$30,000s early on. If you borrow the median $27,000 and start a Psychology or Education job in the low $30,000s, your loan payments will bite hard for the first few years.
Massachusetts and the greater Boston market help the business and health-adjacent majors, where employers pay more. Education pays poorly everywhere, and Merrimack is no exception. go in knowing the starting salary if that's your plan.
The net price tiers matter more than the average. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $27,400 a year. over $110,000, you pay $41,500. That $14,000 annual spread means the same degree costs a lower-income family far less in absolute dollars, but $27,400 is still a lot on a modest income, so the debt risk is real at every tier.
Merrimack fits you if you're heading into business or a health field and can manage the cost. If you're set on education or a low-paying major and would borrow the full amount, run the payment math first or look at a cheaper option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merrimack College worth the cost?
Merrimack College graduates earn $75,584 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable but not exceptional given the $37,899 annual net price. The accounting program shows strong returns at $62,508, but other popular majors like communications and education offer weaker financial outcomes.
What programs at Merrimack College have the best ROI?
Accounting stands out with graduates earning $62,508 annually, making it the clear winner for return on investment. Management sciences and business administration also perform decently, while education and communications majors earn significantly less despite similar tuition costs.
How much debt do Merrimack College students graduate with?
The median debt at Merrimack College is $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With typical graduate earnings of $75,584, most students should be able to handle their loan payments without major financial stress.
Does Merrimack College offer good financial aid?
With a net price of $37,899 after aid, Merrimack College provides moderate financial assistance but still requires a significant investment. The 72% graduation rate means about one in four students don't finish, making the financial commitment risky for some.