RIC vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI 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 RIC based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

RIC vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC 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 Rhode Island College than UC Merced ($10,346 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 37.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,414 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $4,323 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.5% higher at UC Merced than at Rhode Island College (about $22,524 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $27,299.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at University of California Merced (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 307% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($27,292 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC 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 RIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 50 points higher than at RIC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120; University 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: RIC - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

RIC vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIC 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 Rhode Island College's (44%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,301 lower median loan debt than RIC graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIC graduates ($205 vs. $219).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.