San Francisco State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Francisco 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 Francisco State University 19:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

San Francisco State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University than UC Merced ($13,168 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Merced are 3.7% lower than at San Francisco State University ($21,445 vs. $22,266).
• University of California Merced is 96.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $7,673 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.4% higher at UC Merced than at San Francisco State University (about $29,273 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at San Francisco State University (89% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 110% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($27,292 vs. $12,996).

San Francisco State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 20 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

San Francisco State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $2,649 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($17,250 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($178 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.