Santa Clara University vs University of California-Merced
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Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.
Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, CA. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants and University of California-Merced about 91%, making Santa Clara 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 $50,062 at Santa Clara University. About 88% of students graduate at Santa Clara University, compared with 69% at University of California-Merced. Ten years after enrolling, Santa Clara University alumni earn a median of about $109,183, against $64,368 for University of California-Merced.
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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 Santa Clara University or University of California-Merced harder to get into?
- Santa Clara University is harder to get into. It admits about 48% 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, Santa Clara 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 $50,062 at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University and University of California-Merced?
- Before aid, University of California-Merced costs about $39,665 a year and Santa Clara University about $82,026. 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, Santa Clara University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,945 there, against about $22,985 at Santa Clara University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Santa Clara University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is the larger of the two, with about 8,372 undergraduates against 6,552 at Santa Clara University.
- Does Santa Clara University or University of California-Merced have a better graduation rate?
- Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 69% at University of California-Merced.
- Do graduates of Santa Clara University or University of California-Merced earn more?
- Santa Clara University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,368 for University of California-Merced. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Santa Clara University and University of California-Merced require SAT or ACT scores?
- Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University and University of California-Merced look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1490 at Santa Clara University and 960–1140 at University of California-Merced. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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