NDNU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA 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 NDNU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 306 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Notre Dame de Namur University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Notre Dame de Namur University 6:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

NDNU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NDNU or UC Merced? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Notre Dame de Namur University are 30% lower than at University of California Merced ($15,016 vs. $21,445).
• Notre Dame de Namur University is 132.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $20,683 more per year; $36,306.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at UC Merced than at Notre Dame de Namur University (about $13,517 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $36,306.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Notre Dame de Namur University (89% vs. 0%).

NDNU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NDNU 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 NDNU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity 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: NDNU - Not reported; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NDNU (3.1).

NDNU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NDNU 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 Notre Dame de Namur University's (51%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,323 lower median loan debt than NDNU graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,222).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDNU graduates ($205 vs. $260).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NDNU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 64%)

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.