Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and UC Merced

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UC Merced has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,541) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than UC Merced.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while UC Merced has 9,110 students.
  • Cal Poly has a lower number of students per faculty with 19 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while UC Merced has 428 full-time faculties.
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Cal Poly UC Merced
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.University of California-Merced
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationMerced, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,653
Out-Of-State$46,541
52%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,780
31.32 %Acceptance Rates90.53 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)7.24 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate69 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
96 %Retention Rate82 %
23,069Student Population9,110
931Number of Faculties428
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, 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