Merced College vs. MJC

Comparable Facts

Compare Merced College in Merced, CA with Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Modesto Junior College is larger than Merced College based on total student enrollment (18,258 students vs. 12,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merced College is located in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Modesto Junior College is in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Merced College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Modesto Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merced College 28:1; Modesto Junior College 32:1.

Merced College vs. MJC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merced College or MJC? 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 Modesto Junior College than Merced College ($5,605 vs. $6,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merced College are 12% lower than at Modesto Junior College ($19,432 vs. $22,086).
• Modesto Junior College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merced College (about $82 more per year; $1,282.00 vs. $1,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at MJC than at Merced College (about $744 more per year; $9,264.00 vs. $8,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Merced College than at Modesto Junior College (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Merced College students is 25% larger than aid received by Modesto Junior College students ($7,480 vs. $5,984).

Merced College vs. MJC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merced College or MJC? 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 MJC and Merced College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merced College - Open admission; MJC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

Merced College vs. MJC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merced College and MJC? 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).

• Graduates from Modesto Junior College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Merced College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.