Academic Comparison between UC Riverside and UC Merced

University of California-Riverside and University of California-Merced are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Riversidevs.University of California-Merced
Riverside, CaliforniaLocationMerced, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$14,636
Out-Of-State$46,524
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,653
Out-Of-State$46,541
74%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$21,726Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,780
76.39 %Acceptance Rates90.53 %
12.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)7.24 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate69 %
9 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
88 %Retention Rate82 %
26,384Student Population9,110
1,028Number of Faculties428
22 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycare