NSU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD 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. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern 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: Northern State University 19:1; 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 University of California Merced than NSU ($13,690 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 50.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($10,600 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 76.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $6,778 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 317% higher at UC Merced than at Northern State University (about $37,876 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of California Merced (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 323.7% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($27,292 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU 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 NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming NSU 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: Northern State University 980/1160; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; 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.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

NSU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,899 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($205 vs. $252).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.