La Sierra University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, 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 La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra 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: La Sierra University 12:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

La Sierra University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University ($13,690 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 37.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,431 vs. $21,445).
• La Sierra University is 141.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $22,087 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at UC Merced than at La Sierra University (about $12,113 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at University of California Merced (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 1.3% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($27,646 vs. $27,292).

La Sierra University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

La Sierra University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $10,101 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($19,899 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($205 vs. $310).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.