Azusa Pacific University vs. UC Merced

Should I go to Azusa Pacific University or University of California Merced? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Azusa Pacific University or UC Merced is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Azusa Pacific University vs. University of California Merced comparison
Azusa Pacific University University of California Merced College 3 College 4
University of California Merced
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Overview

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Location Azusa, CA Merced, CA
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,169 9,103
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #268 #605
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu ucmerced.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Tuition (In State) $41,650 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $41,650 $41,636
Room & Board $9,222 $19,340
Avg Net Price $26,666 $13,549
Avg Grant Aid $27,474 $25,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 83%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,438 29,920
Admitted 2,991 26,766
Acceptance Rate 87% 89.5%
Enrolled % 17.3% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.55
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/24
SAT Range 980/1240 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Psychology (22%)
  • Biology (21%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Graduation Rate 63% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $19,899
Median Loan Payment $232 $205

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
% Men 28% 51%
% Women 72% 49%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 13%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 29% 48%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 8% 4%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
% In-State 77% 99%
% Out-of-State 15% 0%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University UC Merced
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Merced is larger than than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (9,103 students vs. 7,169 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or UC Merced?

  • Azusa Pacific University is 260.2% more expensive to attend than UC Merced for in-state tuition ($41,650.00 vs. $11,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0% higher at Azusa Pacific University than University of California Merced ($41,650.00 vs. $41,636.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than Azusa Pacific University ($13,549 vs. $26,666)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 109.7% lower than costs at University of California Merced ($9,222 vs. $19,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than University of California Merced (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 6.2% larger than aid received University of California Merced ($27,474 vs. $25,868)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UC Merced Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or UC Merced? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UC Merced or Azusa Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at Azusa Pacific University (1080) is 55 points higher than at UC Merced (1025)
  • Incoming Azusa Pacific University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at UC Merced (23)
  • Accepted freshman Azusa Pacific University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UC Merced (3.55)
  • UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Azusa Pacific University (87%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University or UC Merced? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UC Merced and Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at Azusa Pacific University is higher than University of California Merced (63% vs. 58%)
  • University of California Merced students graduate with a $2,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($19,899 vs. $22,500)
  • UC Merced graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($205 vs. $232)
  • More Azusa Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/