La Sierra University vs University of California-Merced
La Sierra University is a private university in Riverside, CA. University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, CA. University of California-Merced admits about 91% of applicants and La Sierra University about 92%, making University of California-Merced 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 $45,566 at La Sierra University. About 69% of students graduate at University of California-Merced, compared with 64% at La Sierra University. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Merced alumni earn a median of about $64,368, against $61,824 for La Sierra University.
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 La Sierra University or University of California-Merced harder to get into?
- University of California-Merced is harder to get into. It admits about 91% of applicants, compared with 92% at La Sierra University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, La Sierra 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 $45,566 at La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and University of California-Merced?
- Before aid, University of California-Merced costs about $39,665 a year and La Sierra University about $51,459. 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, La Sierra University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,945 there, against about $44,988 at La Sierra University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, La Sierra University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is the larger of the two, with about 8,372 undergraduates against 1,116 at La Sierra University.
- Does La Sierra University or University of California-Merced have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Merced has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 64% at La Sierra University.
- Do graduates of La Sierra University 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 $61,824 for La Sierra University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do La Sierra University and University of California-Merced require SAT or ACT scores?
- La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and University of California-Merced look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 880–1140 at La Sierra University and 960–1140 at University of California-Merced. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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