Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Long Beach 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 Long Beach 23:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach 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 California State University Long Beach than UC Merced ($10,607 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 27.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($15,612 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 112.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $8,273 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.7% higher at UC Merced than at California State University Long Beach (about $29,873 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State University Long Beach (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 131.4% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($27,292 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach 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 Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 80 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach 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: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach 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 State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($155 vs. $205).
• More Cal State Long Beach 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.