Great Basin College vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Great Basin College in Elko, NV 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 Great Basin College based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,320 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Great Basin College is located in Elko, NV (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Great Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Great Basin College 18:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Great Basin College vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Great Basin College 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 Great Basin College than UC Merced ($8,193 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Great Basin College are 72% lower than at University of California Merced ($6,000 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 298.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Great Basin College (about $11,700 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $3,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 258.9% higher at UC Merced than at Great Basin College (about $35,940 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $13,883.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Great Basin College (89% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 345.3% larger than aid received by Great Basin College students ($27,292 vs. $6,129).

Great Basin College vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Great Basin College 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 Great Basin College.

• Great Basin College 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: Great Basin College - Open admission; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

Great Basin College vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Great Basin College 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 Great Basin College's (8%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have a $10,399 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($98 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Great Basin College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 39%)

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.