Azusa Pacific University vs University of California-Merced
Azusa Pacific University is a private university in Azusa, CA. University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, CA. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants and University of California-Merced about 91%, making Azusa Pacific University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,983 a year at University of California-Merced after aid, and about $22,212 at Azusa Pacific University. About 69% of students graduate at University of California-Merced, compared with 63% at Azusa Pacific University. Ten years after enrolling, Azusa Pacific University alumni earn a median of about $66,677, against $64,368 for University of California-Merced.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Azusa, CA
Merced, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,759
8,372
Acceptance rate
88%
91%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
3.21–3.71
SAT (middle 50%)
983–1238
960–1140
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
19–24
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,212
$11,983
Full cost / yr
$56,313
$39,665
In-state tuition
$44,458
$15,623
Out-of-state tuition
$44,458
$49,823
Application fee
$45
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,781
$7,945
$30k - $48k
$20,495
$8,465
$48k - $75k
$22,998
$11,557
$75k - $110k
Not reported
$14,828
Over $110k
$27,193
$28,734
Outcomes
Graduation rate
63%
69%
Freshman retention
84%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,794
$48,475
Median earnings (10 yr)
$66,677
$64,368
Median debt at graduation
$23,219
$16,144
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
59%
First-generation students
38%
57%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 15
Nov 30
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced harder to get into?
- Azusa Pacific University is harder to get into. It admits about 88% of applicants, compared with 91% at University of California-Merced. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,983 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,212 at Azusa Pacific University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Azusa Pacific University and University of California-Merced?
- Before aid, University of California-Merced costs about $39,665 a year and Azusa Pacific University about $56,313. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,945 there, against about $15,781 at Azusa Pacific University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is the larger of the two, with about 8,372 undergraduates against 2,759 at Azusa Pacific University.
- Does Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Merced has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 63% at Azusa Pacific University.
- Do graduates of Azusa Pacific University or University of California-Merced earn more?
- Azusa Pacific University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $66,677 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,368 for University of California-Merced. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Azusa Pacific University and University of California-Merced require SAT or ACT scores?
- Azusa Pacific University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of California-Merced is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Azusa Pacific University and University of California-Merced look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 983–1238 at Azusa Pacific University and 960–1140 at University of California-Merced. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Azusa Pacific University vs Pomona CollegeAzusa Pacific University vs Claremont McKenna CollegeAzusa Pacific University vs Pitzer CollegeUniversity of California-Merced vs Stanford UniversityUniversity of California-Merced vs Loyola Marymount UniversityUniversity of California-Merced vs Santa Clara University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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