Providence College vs Merrimack

Providence College and Merrimack College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Providence College, a private Catholic university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (67%) compared to Merrimack College's (75%). While Providence College's student body is predominantly White (73%), Merrimack College's student body is more diverse, with a larger percentage of Hispanic (14%) and Black (10%) students. In terms of popular majors, Providence College excels in the fields of Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, while Merrimack College is known for its strengths in Engineering, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. With a higher graduation rate (86%) compared to Merrimack College's (80%), Providence College demonstrates its commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Merrimack College	Providence College
Overview
Location	North Andover, Massachusetts	Providence, Rhode Island
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	80.3%	58.0%
Application fees		Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	N/A	1120 - 1330
ACT range	N/A	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score		43.0%
Students submitting ACT score		11.0%
Total number of applicants	10,429	11,129
Total number of admissions given out	8,375	6,453
Admitted students who chose to enroll	967	1,040
Yield rate	11.5%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$64,774	$70,948
Average net price	$35,500	$39,566
Tuition	$43,842	$55,040
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,493 Meal plan: $7,323	Room/dormitory: $9,260 Meal plan: $6,800
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $25,528	83.0% Average amount $30,997
Students receiving federal student loan	64.0% Average amount $5,356	52.0% Average amount $5,377
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $22,739	10.0% Average amount $24,146

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,120 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%	4,179 Men 45.3% Women 54.7%
Graduate students	1,332 Men 27.3% Women 72.7%	492 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	89.8%
International students	1.9%	1.7%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,713	3,560
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey Rhode Island

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science	Business Education Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences History
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.0%	89.0%
Dropout rate	0.1%	2.8%
Transferred out	30.5%	8.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,692 Year 2: $44,327 Year 3: $57,831 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,877 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $48,983 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,240 Year 2: $43,160 Year 3: $48,263 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,959 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $47,824 Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,026 Year 2: $28,816 Year 3: $44,114 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,044 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: N/A Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,117 Year 2: $62,508 Year 3: N/A Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,444 Year 2: $36,312 Year 3: N/A Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,991 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,405 Year 2: $64,791 Year 3: $80,089 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,824 Year 2: $65,198 Year 3: $79,036 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,761 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $75,198 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,900 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $70,359 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,440 Year 2: $49,899 Year 3: $63,339 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,956 Year 2: $51,722 Year 3: $60,804 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,573 Year 2: $44,943 Year 3: $57,894 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,024 Year 2: $45,383 Year 3: $55,748 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,583 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $53,893 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,317 Year 2: $44,649 Year 3: $52,717

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Providence College and Merrimack College?

Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican-run liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and a residential campus experience. Merrimack College, also Catholic (Augustinian), offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs, and has a more career-focused approach. Providence is generally considered more selective in admissions.
How do the academic programs at Providence College and Merrimack College compare?

Providence College excels in liberal arts disciplines like history, English, and political science, and also has a well-regarded business school. Merrimack College offers strong programs in engineering, business, health sciences, and education, alongside its liberal arts offerings. Merrimack has a greater emphasis on pre-professional training and experiential learning opportunities.
Which college is larger, Providence College or Merrimack College?

Merrimack College has a larger total enrollment than Providence College. While Providence College focuses primarily on its undergraduate population, Merrimack has a significant graduate student population, contributing to its larger overall size.
How do the campus environments differ between Providence College and Merrimack College?

Providence College offers a traditional, close-knit campus environment with a strong sense of community fostered by its residential focus and Dominican tradition. Merrimack College has a more modern and evolving campus, reflecting its growth and expansion of programs. While both offer a welcoming atmosphere, Providence emphasizes its historical roots and traditions, while Merrimack focuses on innovation and future-oriented learning.
What is the religious affiliation of Providence College and Merrimack College, and how does it impact campus life?

Both Providence College and Merrimack College are Catholic institutions. Providence College is run by the Dominican Order, and Merrimack College is run by the Augustinian Order. This affiliation influences campus life through values-based education, opportunities for spiritual growth, and a commitment to service. While both are welcoming to students of all faiths, Catholic traditions and values are integrated into the academic and extracurricular experiences.
How do the costs of attending Providence College and Merrimack College compare?

Generally, Providence College has a higher tuition cost than Merrimack College. However, the net cost (after financial aid) can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances. It's essential to compare financial aid packages offered by each institution to determine the most affordable option.
What are the athletic programs like at Providence College and Merrimack College?

Providence College is a Division I school, known for its strong men's ice hockey and basketball programs, competing in the Big East Conference. Merrimack College is also a Division I school, competing in the Northeast Conference, with a growing athletics program across various sports. Both offer a vibrant athletic environment for student-athletes and fans.
What kind of student is best suited for Providence College versus Merrimack College?

Providence College is a good fit for students seeking a traditional liberal arts education within a close-knit, Catholic community. It's ideal for those who value a strong residential experience and a focus on undergraduate studies. Merrimack College is well-suited for students looking for a more career-focused education with a blend of liberal arts and professional programs. It's a good choice for those who want hands-on learning opportunities and a diverse range of academic options.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Providence College and Merrimack College?

Both Providence College and Merrimack College offer career services to help students with internships, job searching, and career development. Merrimack College places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and career preparation, with numerous internship and co-op opportunities integrated into its academic programs. Providence College also provides robust career support, leveraging its alumni network and connections to help students secure internships and jobs after graduation.
How do the locations of Providence College and Merrimack College differ, and how does that impact student life?

Providence College is located in Providence, Rhode Island, offering students access to a vibrant city with a thriving arts and culture scene. Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Massachusetts, a suburban setting that provides a more campus-focused experience while still being within driving distance of Boston. The urban setting of Providence offers more immediate access to cultural attractions and entertainment, while the suburban location of Merrimack provides a quieter, more traditional college town atmosphere.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Merrimack

Quinnipiac University