Soka University of America vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, 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 Soka University of America based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 495 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Soka University of America is located in Aliso Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Soka University of America 7:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Soka University of America vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Soka University of America 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 Soka University of America ($13,690 vs. $15,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Soka University of America are 33% lower than at University of California Merced ($14,378 vs. $21,445).
• Soka University of America is 147.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $23,105 more per year; $38,728.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at UC Merced than at Soka University of America (about $11,095 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $38,728.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Soka University of America than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Soka University of America students is 44.3% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($39,373 vs. $27,292).

Soka University of America vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Soka University of America or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and Soka University of America.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Soka University of America (1420) is 370 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Soka University of America 1333/1510; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Soka University of America - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Soka University of America students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Soka University of America (43.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.8% at Soka University of America vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Soka University of America vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Soka University of America and UC Merced? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Soka University of America's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $2,389 lower median loan debt than Soka University of America graduates ($19,899 vs. $22,288).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Soka University of America graduates ($205 vs. $230).
• More Soka University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.