San Jose State vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

San Jose State vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose 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 Jose State ($13,690 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 2.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($20,971 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 85.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $7,213 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.1% higher at UC Merced than at San Jose State University (about $28,813 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at San Jose State University (89% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 120.9% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($27,292 vs. $12,353).

San Jose State vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 80 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

San Jose State vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($155 vs. $205).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.