UC Merced vs. Providence Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Merced in Merced, CA with Providence Christian College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than Providence Christian College based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 168 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Merced is located in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Providence Christian College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Merced 20:1; Providence Christian College 17:1.

UC Merced vs. Providence Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Merced or Providence Christian College? 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 Providence Christian College ($13,690 vs. $27,422).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence Christian College are 46.6% lower than at University of California Merced ($11,444 vs. $21,445).
• Providence Christian College is 136.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $21,340 more per year; $36,963.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at UC Merced than at Providence Christian College (about $12,860 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $36,963.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence Christian College than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 2% larger than aid received by Providence Christian College students ($27,292 vs. $26,751).

UC Merced vs. Providence Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Merced or Providence Christian College? 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 Providence Christian College and UC Merced.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Merced - Test-free; Providence Christian College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Providence Christian College (3.5).
• Providence Christian College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.2% at UC Merced vs. 60% at Providence Christian College.

UC Merced vs. Providence Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Merced and Providence Christian College? 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 Providence Christian College's (57%).

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.