UCSB vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UCSB vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 UCSB ($13,690 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 5.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($20,279 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $791 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at UCSB than at University of California Merced (about $791 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at University of California Santa Barbara (89% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 10.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($27,292 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 300 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UCSB vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,448 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($170 vs. $205).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.