Westmont College vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, 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 Westmont College based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Westmont College vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westmont College 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 Westmont College ($13,690 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 20.9% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,960 vs. $21,445).
• Westmont College is 243% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $37,961 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Merced (about $3,761 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $49,823.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 42.7% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($38,956 vs. $27,292).

Westmont College vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westmont College 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 Westmont College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 300 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Westmont College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 1240/1450; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westmont College 25/32; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westmont College - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Westmont College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Westmont College (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Westmont College vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westmont College 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,224 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($205 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.