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

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 UC Riverside ($46,524).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Riverside than UC Merced.
  • UC Riverside has more students with 26,384 students while UC Merced has 9,110 students.
  • UC Merced has a lower number of students per faculty with 20 to 1 while UC Riverside's ratio is 22 to 1.
  • UC Riverside has more full-time faculties with 1,028 faculties while UC Merced has 428 full-time faculties.
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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