California Baptist University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

California Baptist University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

California Baptist University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University 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 California Baptist University ($13,690 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 43.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,140 vs. $21,445).
• California Baptist University is 163.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $25,605 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at UC Merced than at California Baptist University (about $8,595 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $41,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at University of California Merced (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 2.1% larger than aid received by California Baptist University students ($27,292 vs. $26,743).

California Baptist University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University 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 California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Baptist University (1060) is 10 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 960/1150; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 18/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

California Baptist University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University 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 California Baptist University's (55%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $7,101 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($19,899 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($205 vs. $279).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.