UC Riverside vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, 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 Riverside is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UC Riverside vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside 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 UC Riverside ($13,690 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Riverside are 3.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($20,691 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $17 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at UC Merced than at University of California Riverside (about $17 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at University of California Riverside (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 12.1% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($27,292 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside 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 UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 130 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UC Riverside vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside 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 Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $790 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($19,109 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($197 vs. $205).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.