Cleveland State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cleveland State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland 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 University of California Merced than Cleveland State ($13,690 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 29.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($15,104 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $2,635 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.2% higher at UC Merced than at Cleveland State University (about $31,313 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of California Merced (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 178.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($27,292 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State 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: Cleveland State University 880/1130; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Cleveland State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,601 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.