SCI-Arc vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, 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 SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

SCI-Arc vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc ($13,690 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 36.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,600 vs. $21,445).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 259.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $40,539 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at SCI-Arc than at University of California Merced (about $6,339 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (89% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 56.2% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($42,627 vs. $27,292).

SCI-Arc vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 80 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; 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: SCI-Arc - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Merced students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

SCI-Arc vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc 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.

• The graduation rate at SCI-Arc is the same as at University of California Merced (58% vs. 58%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture have median earnings of about $46,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for UC Merced.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $22,851 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($19,899 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $237 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($205 vs. $442).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 62%)

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.