| UCSB vs. UC Merced |
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
#41 in National Universities #53 in World University Rankings #14 in California Colleges | Rankings* | #164 in National Universities #37 in California Colleges |
| Public, four-years Research University (very high research activity) | School Type | Public, four-years Research University (high research activity) |
| Offered Degrees | ||
| Bachelor's Post-BS Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) | Offered Degree | Bachelor's Master's Doctorate (Research) |
| 2025 Tuition & Fees | ||
| expensive$15,444 California Residents $47,332 Out-of-State | Undergraduate Tuition | cheaper$14,653 California Residents $46,541 Out-of-State |
| expensive$15,124 California Residents $30,226 Out-of-State | Graduate Tuition | cheaper$14,753 California Residents $29,855 Out-of-State |
| Less$19,022 | Average Financial Aid Amount | More$23,874 |
| Admission | ||
| Tighter32.97% | Acceptance Rate | Easier90.53% |
| Favorable13.78% | Yield (Enrollment Rate) | Lower7.24% |
| High School GPA High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program English Proficiency Test Personal statement or essay | Application Requirements (Required or Considered) | High School GPA High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay |
| Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits Credit for Military Training | Accepted Credits | Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits |
| Enrollment | ||
| Larger26,133 | Total Enrollment | Smaller9,110 |
| Larger23,181 | Undergraduate Student Population | Smaller8,372 |
| Larger2,952 | Graduate Student Population | Smaller738 |
| Larger57 | Online Student Population | Smaller2 |
| Completion & Outcomes | ||
| Higher83% | Graduate Rate | Lower69% |
| - | Transfer-out Rate | 11% |
| Higher93% | Retention Rate | Lower82% |
| Special Learning Opportunity | ||
| ROTC Study Abroad Teacher Certificate | Special learning Opportunity | Study Abroad |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 11,441) | Campus Housing | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,351) |
| ✔ | Board/Meal Plan | ✔ |
| Faculty | ||
| Less Students per Faculty17 to 1 | Student to Faculty Ratio | More Students per Faculty20 to 1 |
| 1,241 | Number of faculty | 458 |
| Higher$186,097 | Average Faculty Salary | Lower$133,623 |
*Ranking data is from College Evaluator.