CSU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Chico is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

CSU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($13,690 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 23.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,500 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 84.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $7,151 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.4% higher at UC Merced than at California State University Chico (about $28,751 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State University Chico (89% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 137.1% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($27,292 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 20 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming CSU 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 State University Chico 970/1170; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; 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 CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

CSU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $2,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($175 vs. $205).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.