American University of Health Sciences vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare American University of Health Sciences in Signal Hill, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than American University of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 473 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University of Health Sciences is located in Signal Hill, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• American University of Health Sciences is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University of Health Sciences 16:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

American University of Health Sciences vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, American University of Health Sciences or UC Merced? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than American University of Health Sciences ($13,690 vs. $26,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University of Health Sciences are 8.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($19,632 vs. $21,445).
• American University of Health Sciences is 57.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $8,952 more per year; $24,575.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.7% higher at UC Merced than at American University of Health Sciences (about $25,248 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $24,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University of Health Sciences than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 38.4% larger than aid received by American University of Health Sciences students ($27,292 vs. $19,723).

American University of Health Sciences vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, American University of Health Sciences or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and American University of Health Sciences.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: American University of Health Sciences - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 1.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at American University of Health Sciences (2.5).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than American University of Health Sciences (50%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 100% at American University of Health Sciences vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

American University of Health Sciences vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for American University of Health Sciences and UC Merced? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $17,391 lower median loan debt than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($19,899 vs. $37,290).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $180 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($205 vs. $385).
• More American University of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.