Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver ($13,690 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 21.7% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,785 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $4,499 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at UC Merced than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $19,139 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (89% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 178.1% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($27,292 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $4,351 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($19,899 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($205 vs. $250).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.