HIU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope International University in Fullerton, 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 HIU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 1,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope International University is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hope International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope International University 13:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

HIU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HIU 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 HIU ($13,690 vs. $29,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 39.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,950 vs. $21,445).
• Hope International University is 143.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $22,427 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at UC Merced than at Hope International University (about $11,773 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $38,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope International University than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Hope International University students ($27,292 vs. $22,474).

HIU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HIU 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 HIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 20 points higher than at HIU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope International University 840/1220; University 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: HIU - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: HIU Aug 20, 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 HIU (3.26).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than HIU (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.4% at HIU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

HIU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HIU 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 Hope International University's (32%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $6,101 lower median loan debt than HIU graduates ($19,899 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HIU graduates ($205 vs. $268).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.