San Diego Christian College vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego Christian College in Santee, 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 San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Christian College is located in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego Christian 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: San Diego Christian College 9:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

San Diego Christian College vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College ($13,690 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 48.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($11,080 vs. $21,445).
• San Diego Christian College is 79.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $12,389 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.9% higher at UC Merced than at San Diego Christian College (about $21,811 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 46.9% larger than aid received by San Diego Christian College students ($27,292 vs. $18,584).

San Diego Christian College vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 50 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming San Diego Christian College 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: San Diego Christian College 900/1098; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego Christian College - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at San Diego Christian College vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

San Diego Christian College vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $3,207 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($19,899 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($205 vs. $238).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.