CDU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

CDU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CDU 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 CDU ($13,690 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Merced are 35.2% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($21,445 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 47.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $7,377 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.6% higher at UC Merced than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $26,823 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 538.3% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($27,292 vs. $4,276).

CDU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CDU 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 CDU.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CDU - Open admission; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CDU Jul 30, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at CDU (3.26).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.5% at CDU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

CDU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CDU 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,420 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($205 vs. $220).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.