NSU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK 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 NSU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 6,751 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern State University is located in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northeastern State 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: Northeastern State University 16:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

NSU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU 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 Northeastern State University than UC Merced ($12,410 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 48.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($11,120 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 100% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $7,813 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 188.2% higher at UC Merced than at Northeastern State University (about $32,533 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Northeastern State University (89% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 206.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($27,292 vs. $8,893).

NSU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 50 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northeastern State University 866/1136; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northeastern State University 18/23; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Merced students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NSU (3.49).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at NSU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

NSU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UC Merced? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University have median earnings of about $40,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for UC Merced.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $1,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($186 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 48%)

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.