Life Pacific University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Life Pacific University in San Dimas, 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 Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life Pacific University is located in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Life Pacific 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: Life Pacific University 12:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Life Pacific University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University ($13,690 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 43.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,190 vs. $21,445).
• Life Pacific University is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $6,495 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.3% higher at UC Merced than at Life Pacific University (about $27,705 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $22,118.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 99.3% larger than aid received by Life Pacific University students ($27,292 vs. $13,696).

Life Pacific University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at Life Pacific University (1010).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Life Pacific University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life Pacific University 930/1085; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life Pacific University 16/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life Pacific University - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Life Pacific University May 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• Life Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Life Pacific University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Life Pacific University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $631 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($19,899 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($205 vs. $212).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 54%)

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.