USF vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Francisco in San Francisco, 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 USF based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of San Francisco 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 San Francisco 11:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

USF vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF 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 USF ($13,690 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 7.8% lower than at University of California Merced ($19,764 vs. $21,445).
• University of San Francisco is 287.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $44,869 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at USF than at University of California Merced (about $10,669 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Merced (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 27.2% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($34,723 vs. $27,292).

USF vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF 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 USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 240 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming USF students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

USF vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More USF 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.