Stanford University vs University of California-Merced
Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA, and University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, CA. Stanford University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 91% at University of California-Merced. University of California-Merced is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,983 a year against $13,807 at Stanford University. About 92% of students graduate at Stanford University, compared with 69% at University of California-Merced. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $64,368 for University of California-Merced.
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
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 Stanford University or University of California-Merced harder to get into?
- Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% 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, Stanford 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 $13,807 at Stanford 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 Stanford University and University of California-Merced?
- Before aid, University of California-Merced costs about $39,665 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. 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, Stanford University or University of California-Merced?
- Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $7,945 at University of California-Merced. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Stanford University or University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced is the larger of the two, with about 8,372 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
- Does Stanford University or University of California-Merced have a better graduation rate?
- Stanford University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 69% at University of California-Merced.
- Do graduates of Stanford University or University of California-Merced earn more?
- Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,368 for University of California-Merced. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Stanford University and University of California-Merced require SAT or ACT scores?
- Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores. University of California-Merced is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Stanford University and University of California-Merced look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Stanford University and 960–1140 at University of California-Merced. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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