UCSD vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UCSD vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 UCSD ($13,690 vs. $14,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 11.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($18,970 vs. $21,445).
• University of California San Diego is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $1,135 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at UCSD than at University of California Merced (about $1,135 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at University of California San Diego (89% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 6% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($27,292 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 330 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UCSD vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,399 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($191 vs. $205).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.