Merrimack vs Providence
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover, MACatholic collegeAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Providence CollegeProvidence, RICatholic college
At a glance
- Merrimack lists Mass every weekday; Providence lists Mass every weekday.
- Providence has the higher graduation rate: 86% against 70% at Merrimack.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, Providence has the lower price after aid: $25,296 a year, against $31,962 at Merrimack.
- The average price after aid is lower at Merrimack: $37,927 a year, against $48,523 at Providence.
Catholic life
Faith grade
BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
BCompass Score: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Sacramental life
BSacramental life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ASacramental life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Theology and core curriculum
ATheology and core curriculum: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus culture and residence life
ACampus culture and residence life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACampus culture and residence life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Service and Catholic social teaching
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Every weekday
Every weekday
Confession times
20 times a week
Eucharistic adoration
3 times a week
Campus ministry
4 listed
5 listed
Religious order or tradition
Augustinian
Dominican
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
North Andover, MA
Providence, RI
Setting
Suburb
City
Students
5,688
4,635
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
70%
51%
Average SAT
1346
ACT middle 50%
29–32
Graduation rate
70%
86%
First-year retention
79%
94%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$37,927
$48,523
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$31,710
$28,152
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$29,417
$21,835
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$31,962
$25,296
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$36,045
$33,169
Net price, over $110,000 income
$41,050
$56,699
Median debt
$27,000
$27,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$75,584
$87,054
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.