PUC vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, 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 PUC based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Union College 12:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

PUC vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 PUC ($13,690 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 54.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($9,816 vs. $21,445).
• Pacific Union College is 137.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $21,550 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at UC Merced than at Pacific Union College (about $12,650 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Pacific Union College students ($27,292 vs. $26,629).

PUC vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 10 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming PUC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - 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 PUC (3.24).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

PUC vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $10,101 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($19,899 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($205 vs. $310).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.