UOP vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Pacific in Stockton, 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 UOP based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Pacific is located in Stockton, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of the Pacific 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 the Pacific 13:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UOP vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UOP 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 UOP ($13,690 vs. $31,670).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 19.8% lower than at University of California Merced ($17,190 vs. $21,445).
• University of the Pacific is 265.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $41,457 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at UOP than at University of California Merced (about $7,257 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at University of California Merced (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 50.6% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($41,111 vs. $27,292).

UOP vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UOP 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 UOP.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of the Pacific (1330) is 280 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UOP 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 the Pacific 1183/1480; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Pacific 23/32; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UOP - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UOP Jan 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UOP students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UOP (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UOP vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UOP vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UOP 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 the Pacific's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $4,726 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($19,899 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($205 vs. $254).
• More UOP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.