UWT vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA 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 UWT based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus 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 Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UWT vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWT 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 UWT ($13,690 vs. $13,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus are 23.7% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,371 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWT (about $2,455 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $13,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at UC Merced than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (about $6,419 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $43,404.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (89% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 124.4% larger than aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students ($27,292 vs. $12,161).

UWT vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWT 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 UWT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 20 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWT - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UWT (3.41).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.5% at UWT vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UWT vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWT 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($155 vs. $205).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.