California State University-San Bernardino vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 22:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino than UC Merced ($5,231 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Bernardino are 30% lower than at University of California Merced ($15,002 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 93% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $7,530 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.8% higher at UC Merced than at California State University San Bernardino (about $29,130 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino as at University of California Merced (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 124.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($27,292 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino 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 State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 50 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at California State University-San Bernardino).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $3,399 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($16,500 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($170 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.