ECU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK 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 ECU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Central 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: East Central University 18:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

ECU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Central University than UC Merced ($8,565 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 60.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($8,516 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 94.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $7,591 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.2% higher at UC Merced than at East Central University (about $31,981 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at University of California Merced (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 194.9% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($27,292 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: 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 ECU (3.31).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

ECU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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 East Central University's (34%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $3,021 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($16,878 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($174 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 45%)

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.