UNK vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE 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 UNK based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney 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 Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UNK vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK 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 UNK ($13,690 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 43.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,198 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 80.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $6,947 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226% higher at UC Merced than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $34,539 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney as at University of California Merced (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 179.2% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($27,292 vs. $9,776).

UNK vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK 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 UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 30 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UNK vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK 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 Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,351 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($205 vs. $219).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.