| UC Merced vs. Cal State Fullerton |
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
#164 in National Universities #37 in California Colleges | Rankings* | #10 in Federal Region IX Universities #39 in California Colleges |
| Public, four-years Research University (high research activity) | School Type | Public, four-years Research University (high research activity) |
| Offered Degrees | ||
| Bachelor's Master's Doctorate (Research) | Offered Degree | Bachelor's Post-BS Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| 2025 Tuition & Fees | ||
| expensive$14,653 California Residents $46,541 Out-of-State | Undergraduate Tuition | cheaper$7,470 California Residents $20,070 Out-of-State |
| expensive$14,753 California Residents $29,855 Out-of-State | Graduate Tuition | cheaper$8,994 California Residents $19,074 Out-of-State |
| More$23,874 | Average Financial Aid Amount | Less$9,781 |
| Admission | ||
| Easier90.53% | Acceptance Rate | Tighter90.52% |
| Lower7.24% | Yield (Enrollment Rate) | Favorable14.21% |
| High School GPA High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay | Application Requirements (Required or Considered) | High School GPA High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program English Proficiency Test |
| Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits | Accepted Credits | Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits Credits for Life Experiences Credit for Military Training |
| Enrollment | ||
| Smaller9,110 | Total Enrollment | Larger43,662 |
| Smaller8,372 | Undergraduate Student Population | Larger38,760 |
| Smaller738 | Graduate Student Population | Larger4,902 |
| Smaller2 | Online Student Population | Larger3,776 |
| Completion & Outcomes | ||
| Lower69% | Graduate Rate | Higher70% |
| Higher11% | Transfer-out Rate | Lower2% |
| 82% | Retention Rate | 82% |
| Special Learning Opportunity | ||
| Study Abroad | Special learning Opportunity | ROTC Study Abroad Teacher Certificate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,351) | Campus Housing | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 2,277) |
| ✔ | Board/Meal Plan | ✔ (Typical Annual Charge: $4,506) |
| Faculty | ||
| Less Students per Faculty20 to 1 | Student to Faculty Ratio | More Students per Faculty26 to 1 |
| 458 | Number of faculty | 2,129 |
| Higher$133,623 | Average Faculty Salary | Lower$110,624 |
*Ranking data is from College Evaluator.