| UC Merced vs. UC Santa Cruz |
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
#164 in National Universities #37 in California Colleges | Rankings* | #68 in National Universities #21 in California Colleges |
| Public, four-years Research University (high research activity) | School Type | Public, four-years Research University (very high research activity) |
| Offered Degrees | ||
| Bachelor's Master's Doctorate (Research) | Offered Degree | Bachelor's Master's Doctorate (Research) |
| 2025 Tuition & Fees | ||
| cheaper$14,653 California Residents $46,541 Out-of-State | Undergraduate Tuition | expensive$15,035 California Residents $46,923 Out-of-State |
| cheaper$14,753 California Residents $29,855 Out-of-State | Graduate Tuition | expensive$15,410 California Residents $30,512 Out-of-State |
| More$23,874 | Average Financial Aid Amount | Less$21,083 |
| Admission | ||
| Easier90.53% | Acceptance Rate | Tighter65.79% |
| Lower7.24% | Yield (Enrollment Rate) | Favorable9.29% |
| 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 Credit for Military Training |
| Enrollment | ||
| Smaller9,110 | Total Enrollment | Larger19,938 |
| Smaller8,372 | Undergraduate Student Population | Larger17,940 |
| Smaller738 | Graduate Student Population | Larger1,998 |
| Smaller2 | Online Student Population | Larger166 |
| Completion & Outcomes | ||
| Lower69% | Graduate Rate | Higher75% |
| Higher11% | Transfer-out Rate | Lower10% |
| Lower82% | Retention Rate | Higher88% |
| Special Learning Opportunity | ||
| Study Abroad | Special learning Opportunity | Study Abroad Teacher Certificate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,351) | Campus Housing | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 9,440) |
| ✔ | Board/Meal Plan | ✔ |
| Faculty | ||
| Less Students per Faculty20 to 1 | Student to Faculty Ratio | More Students per Faculty22 to 1 |
| 458 | Number of faculty | 1,006 |
| Lower$133,623 | Average Faculty Salary | Higher$161,983 |
*Ranking data is from College Evaluator.