UC Merced vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Merced in Merced, CA with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Merced is located in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Merced 20:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

UC Merced vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Merced or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than UC Merced ($7,916 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 58.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($8,907 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 80.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $6,948 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 209.6% higher at UC Merced than at Purdue University Northwest (about $33,729 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced as at Purdue University Northwest (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 290.3% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($27,292 vs. $6,992).

UC Merced vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Merced or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue Northwest and UC Merced.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 30 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Merced 960/1140; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Merced 19/24; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Merced - Test-free; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.2% at UC Merced vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

UC Merced vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Merced and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.