San Diego State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

San Diego State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State 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 State ($13,690 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Merced are 6.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($21,445 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Merced is 79% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $6,895 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.6% higher at UC Merced than at San Diego State University (about $28,495 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at San Diego State University (89% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 126.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($27,292 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 150 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

San Diego State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $4,550 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($158 vs. $205).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.