Salve Regina University vs Merrimack

Salve Regina University and Merrimack College, both located in the vibrant state of Rhode Island, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Salve Regina, a private Catholic university, boasts a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community feel, while Merrimack, a private nonsectarian university, offers a larger student population and a more diverse range of academic programs. With Salve Regina's acceptance rate standing at 75% compared to Merrimack's 70%, both institutions provide accessible pathways to higher education. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Merrimack College	Salve Regina University
Overview
Location	North Andover, Massachusetts	Newport, Rhode Island
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
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%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	80.3%	73.4%
Application fees		$50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	10,429	5,104
Total number of admissions given out	8,375	3,748
Admitted students who chose to enroll	967	562
Yield rate	11.5%	15.0%
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	$60,790
Average net price	$35,500	$36,708
Tuition	$43,842	$43,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,493 Meal plan: $7,323	Room/dormitory: $9,300 Meal plan: $6,570
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $25,528	100.0% Average amount $25,847
Students receiving federal student loan	64.0% Average amount $5,356	72.0% Average amount $5,477
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $22,739	16.0% Average amount $20,662

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,120 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%	2,149 Men 32.1% Women 67.9%
Graduate students	1,332 Men 27.3% Women 72.7%	679 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	86.7%
International students	1.9%	1.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,713	1,285
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Mississippi Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Education Psychology
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.0%	73.2%
Dropout rate	0.1%	26.6%
Transferred out	30.5%	N/A
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	Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,486 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $82,893 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,840 Year 2: $69,477 Year 3: $74,932 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,348 Year 2: $61,888 Year 3: $67,954 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,952 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $52,046 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,234 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: $51,017 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,488 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $50,328 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,332 Year 2: $36,042 Year 3: $49,637 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,791 Year 2: $43,426 Year 3: $49,262 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,347 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $49,155 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,998 Year 2: $29,141 Year 3: $48,162

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Salve Regina University and Merrimack College?

Salve Regina University, located in Newport, Rhode Island, is a Catholic university known for its strong liberal arts focus, particularly in fields like nursing, political science, and history. It emphasizes a values-based education and a close-knit community. Merrimack College, situated in North Andover, Massachusetts, offers a blend of liberal arts and professional programs, with a growing emphasis on STEM fields, business, and engineering. Merrimack is known for its career-focused approach and experiential learning opportunities.
Which school is larger: Salve Regina or Merrimack?

Merrimack College is significantly larger than Salve Regina University. Merrimack has a larger undergraduate and graduate student population, offering a wider range of programs and a more diverse campus environment in terms of student body size.
How do the campus environments compare?

Salve Regina boasts a stunning historic campus in Newport, Rhode Island, with Gilded Age mansions and ocean views, creating a picturesque and intimate setting. Merrimack College has a more modern campus in North Andover, Massachusetts, with ongoing development and expansion, offering a more suburban feel with convenient access to Boston.
What types of academic programs are each school known for?

Salve Regina is highly regarded for its programs in Nursing, Criminal Justice, Political Science, History, and Religious Studies. Merrimack College excels in STEM fields like Engineering and Computer Science, as well as Business, Health Sciences, and Education.
How do the costs of attending Salve Regina and Merrimack compare?

Tuition and fees at both institutions are comparable, but it's essential to check the most current figures on their respective websites. The overall cost of attendance can vary based on factors like room and board, financial aid packages, and scholarships. Be sure to explore the financial aid options at both schools to determine the most affordable option for you.
What is the student life like at Salve Regina versus Merrimack?

Salve Regina offers a more intimate and community-focused student life, with a strong emphasis on service and social justice. There are numerous clubs, organizations, and activities, but the smaller size fosters a close-knit atmosphere. Merrimack College provides a more diverse and active student life, with a wider range of clubs, sports, and social events. Its proximity to Boston also offers students access to a vibrant city life.
What are the athletic programs like at each school?

Salve Regina University competes in NCAA Division III, offering a variety of varsity sports. Merrimack College competes in NCAA Division I for many sports, including ice hockey, and Division II for others, providing a more competitive athletic environment. If you're a serious athlete, this is a key difference to consider.
Which school is better for students interested in a Catholic education?

Both Salve Regina and Merrimack have Catholic affiliations, but Salve Regina places a stronger emphasis on its Catholic identity and values in its curriculum and campus life. While Merrimack maintains its Augustinian heritage, its approach is generally less overtly religious than Salve Regina's.
What career services and experiential learning opportunities are available?

Both universities offer career services, including internships, co-ops, and career counseling. Merrimack College places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with required internships and co-op programs in many fields. Salve Regina also offers internships and experiential learning opportunities, but they may not be as heavily emphasized across all programs.
How do the locations of Salve Regina and Merrimack impact student life and opportunities?

Salve Regina's location in Newport, Rhode Island, offers a unique coastal experience with access to beaches, historical sites, and a vibrant tourist scene. Merrimack College's location in North Andover, Massachusetts, provides a suburban setting with convenient access to Boston, offering a wider range of cultural, professional, and entertainment opportunities.

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