Boise State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Boise State University in Boise, ID with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boise State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Boise State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State 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 Boise State ($13,690 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boise State University are 30.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($14,884 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 72.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boise State (about $6,575 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $9,048.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.3% higher at UC Merced than at Boise State University (about $22,035 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $27,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Boise State University (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 187.1% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($27,292 vs. $9,507).

Boise State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State 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 Boise State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boise State University (1120) is 70 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Boise State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Boise State (87.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Boise State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $3,030 lower median loan debt than Boise State graduates ($19,899 vs. $22,929).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boise State graduates ($205 vs. $237).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 54%)

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.