Academic Comparison between UC Merced and Westcliff

University of California-Merced and Westcliff University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Merced is a four-year, public school located in Merced, CA and Westcliff is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Irvine, CA.

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.

  • UC Merced is a public and Westcliff is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UC Merced has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,541) than Westcliff ($17,670).
  • It is harder to admit to Westcliff than UC Merced.
  • UC Merced has more students with 9,110 students while Westcliff has 7,686 students.
  • Westcliff has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UC Merced has more full-time faculties with 428 faculties while Westcliff has 37 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Mercedvs.Westcliff University
Merced, CaliforniaLocationIrvine, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of business and management
In-State$14,653
Out-Of-State$46,541
2025 Tuition & Fees$17,670
85%% Receiving Financial Aid17%
$24,780Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,916
90.53 %Acceptance Rates73.15 %
7.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.93 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
69 %Graduation Rate62 %
11 %Transfer-out Rate3 %
82 %Retention Rate72 %
9,110Student Population7,686
428Number of Faculties37
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services