Sacramento State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Sacramento State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento 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 California State University Sacramento than UC Merced ($10,110 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Sacramento are 10.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($19,174 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 94.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $7,605 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.6% higher at UC Merced than at California State University Sacramento (about $29,205 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State University Sacramento (89% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 113.8% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($27,292 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 20 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Sacramento State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento 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 California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $4,149 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,750 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($162 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.