New Jersey City University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ 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 New Jersey City University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 5,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Jersey City University is located in Jersey City, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Jersey City University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Jersey City University 13:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

New Jersey City University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University ($13,690 vs. $16,724).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Jersey City University are 21.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,844 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Jersey City University (about $1,163 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 244.6% higher at UC Merced than at New Jersey City University (about $35,363 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at New Jersey City University (89% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 135.6% larger than aid received by New Jersey City University students ($27,292 vs. $11,582).

New Jersey City University vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 30 points higher than at New Jersey City University (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey City University 890/1140; 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: New Jersey City University - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at New Jersey City University (3.24).
• New Jersey City University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at New Jersey City University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

New Jersey City University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University's (39%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have a $2,544 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($17,355 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($179 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Jersey City University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 49%)

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.