La Verne vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of La Verne in La Verne, 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 Merced is larger than La Verne based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 5,021 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of La Verne is located in La Verne, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of La Verne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of La Verne 10:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

La Verne vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Verne 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 La Verne ($13,690 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of La Verne are 26.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($15,830 vs. $21,445).
• University of La Verne is 216.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $33,847 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at UC Merced than at University of La Verne (about $353 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $49,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of La Verne than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of La Verne students is 49.1% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($40,688 vs. $27,292).

La Verne vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Verne or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and La Verne.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of La Verne (1110) is 60 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming La Verne students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of La Verne 986/1236; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of La Verne 18/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Verne - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Merced students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at La Verne (3.24).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than La Verne (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at La Verne vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

La Verne vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Verne and UC Merced? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at La Verne is the same as at University of California Merced (58% vs. 58%).
• Graduates from University of La Verne have median earnings of about $52,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for UC Merced.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than La Verne graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Verne graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Verne students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.