Fresno Pacific University vs. UC Merced

Should I go to Fresno Pacific University or University of California Merced? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fresno Pacific University or UC Merced is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fresno Pacific University vs. University of California Merced comparison
Fresno Pacific University University of California Merced College 3 College 4
Fresno Pacific University University of California Merced
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Overview

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Location Fresno, CA Merced, CA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 3,032 9,103
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #589 #605
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Brethren Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fresno.edu ucmerced.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Tuition (In State) $33,614 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $33,614 $41,636
Room & Board $9,238 $19,340
Avg Net Price $15,255 $13,549
Avg Grant Aid $26,985 $25,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 83%

Admission

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 832 29,920
Admitted 624 26,766
Acceptance Rate 75% 89.5%
Enrolled % 24.8% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.55
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/24
SAT Range 970/1240 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Psychology (22%)
  • Biology (21%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)

Outcomes

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Graduation Rate 50% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $19,899
Median Loan Payment $222 $205

Diversity

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
% Men 26% 51%
% Women 74% 49%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 35% 13%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 43% 48%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
% In-State 88% 99%
% Out-of-State 3% 0%

Campus

Fresno Pacific University UC Merced
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Merced is larger than than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (9,103 students vs. 3,032 students)

Fresno Pacific University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fresno Pacific University or UC Merced?

  • Fresno Pacific University is 190.7% more expensive to attend than UC Merced for in-state tuition ($33,614.00 vs. $11,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.9% higher at UC Merced than Fresno Pacific University ($41,636.00 vs. $33,614.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than Fresno Pacific University ($13,549 vs. $15,255)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 109.4% lower than costs at University of California Merced ($9,238 vs. $19,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than University of California Merced (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 4.3% larger than aid received University of California Merced ($26,985 vs. $25,868)

Fresno Pacific University vs. UC Merced Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fresno Pacific University or UC Merced? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UC Merced or Fresno Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Merced (1025) is 37 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54)
  • UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Fresno Pacific University (75%)

Fresno Pacific University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fresno Pacific University or UC Merced? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UC Merced and Fresno Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at UC Merced is higher than Fresno Pacific University (58% vs. 50%)
  • University of California Merced students graduate with a $1,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($19,899 vs. $21,500)
  • UC Merced graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($205 vs. $222)
  • More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/