California College of the Arts vs University of California-Merced
California College of the Arts is a private college in San Francisco, CA, and University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, CA. Both admit about 91% of applicants. University of California-Merced is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,983 a year against $53,909 at California College of the Arts. About 69% of students graduate at University of California-Merced, compared with 62% at California College of the Arts. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Merced alumni earn a median of about $64,368, against $49,414 for California College of the Arts.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
San Francisco, CA
Merced, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
990
8,372
Acceptance rate
91%
91%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.26–3.76
3.21–3.71
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1310
960–1140
ACT (middle 50%)
19–28
19–24
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$53,909
$11,983
Full cost / yr
$79,776
$39,665
In-state tuition
$60,226
$15,623
Out-of-state tuition
$60,226
$49,823
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$61,407
$7,945
$30k - $48k
$43,261
$8,465
$48k - $75k
$45,378
$11,557
$75k - $110k
$46,060
$14,828
Over $110k
$56,394
$28,734
Outcomes
Graduation rate
62%
69%
Freshman retention
87%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,308
$48,475
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,414
$64,368
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$16,144
Student body
Pell grant recipients
25%
59%
First-generation students
24%
57%
International students
32%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Not reported
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 California College of the Arts or University of California-Merced harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 91% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California College of the Arts 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 $53,909 at California College of the Arts. 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 California College of the Arts and University of California-Merced?
- Before aid, University of California-Merced costs about $39,665 a year and California College of the Arts about $79,776. 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, California College of the Arts or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,945 there, against about $61,407 at California College of the Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California College of the Arts or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is the larger of the two, with about 8,372 undergraduates against 990 at California College of the Arts.
- Does California College of the Arts or University of California-Merced have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Merced has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 62% at California College of the Arts.
- Do graduates of California College of the Arts or University of California-Merced earn more?
- University of California-Merced alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,368 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,414 for California College of the Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California College of the Arts and University of California-Merced require SAT or ACT scores?
- California College of the Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Merced is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California College of the Arts and University of California-Merced look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1310 at California College of the Arts and 960–1140 at University of California-Merced. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California College of the Arts vs California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia College of the Arts vs Minerva UniversityCalifornia College of the Arts vs Harvey Mudd 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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