UT Permian Basin vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, TX 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 UT Permian Basin based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 5,585 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, TX (Small City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Texas Permian Basin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas Permian Basin 19:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UT Permian Basin vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Permian Basin 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 The University of Texas Permian Basin than UC Merced ($13,563 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Permian Basin are 34.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($14,098 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 69.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Permian Basin (about $6,387 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $9,236.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.7% higher at UC Merced than at The University of Texas Permian Basin (about $28,319 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas Permian Basin than at University of California Merced (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 194.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Permian Basin students ($27,292 vs. $9,269).

UT Permian Basin vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT Permian Basin 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 UT Permian Basin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 30 points higher than at UT Permian Basin (1020).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UT Permian Basin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Permian Basin 910/1130; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Permian Basin 17/23; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Permian Basin - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Permian Basin Aug 23, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UT Permian Basin (3.27).
• UT Permian Basin has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44% at UT Permian Basin vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UT Permian Basin vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Permian Basin 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 The University of Texas Permian Basin's (34%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates have a $6,244 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($13,655 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UT Permian Basin graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($141 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Permian Basin students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.