Platt College-Los Angeles vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Platt College Los Angeles in Alhambra, 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 Platt College-Los Angeles based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Platt College Los Angeles is located in Alhambra, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Platt College Los Angeles is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Platt College Los Angeles 21:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Platt College-Los Angeles vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Platt College-Los Angeles 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 Platt College-Los Angeles ($13,690 vs. $27,195).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Platt College Los Angeles are 19.9% lower than at University of California Merced ($17,178 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Platt College-Los Angeles (about $701 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $14,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 233.9% higher at UC Merced than at Platt College Los Angeles (about $34,901 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $14,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Platt College Los Angeles (89% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 407% larger than aid received by Platt College Los Angeles students ($27,292 vs. $5,383).

Platt College-Los Angeles vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Platt College-Los Angeles 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 Platt College-Los Angeles.

• Platt College Los Angeles reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: Platt College-Los Angeles - Open admission; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

Platt College-Los Angeles vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Platt College-Los Angeles 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 Platt College Los Angeles's (46%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,101 lower median loan debt than Platt College-Los Angeles graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Platt College-Los Angeles graduates ($205 vs. $217).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Platt College-Los Angeles students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 28%)

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.