Choosing the right college can be an overwhelming decision, with numerous factors to consider. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve compared UC Merced and Santa Clara University (SCU) based on various parameters such as costs, admissions, academics, diversity, and outcomes.
UC Merced Overview
UC Merced, established in 2005, is a research-oriented public university located in Merced, California. It is the newest campus in the University of California system. UC Merced offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and research programs across three schools: School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts.
UC Merced Costs & Tuition
Annual in-state tuition for UC Merced is approximately $13,200, while out-of-state tuition is around $40,200. Students can expect additional expenses for room, board, and other fees.
UC Merced Admissions
Admission to UC Merced is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 72%. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation.
UC Merced Degrees Offered
UC Merced offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across various disciplines, including engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences, humanities, and arts.
UC Merced Academics
UC Merced has a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, ensuring that students have access to personalized attention and support from faculty members. Popular majors at UC Merced include psychology, biological sciences, engineering, and management.
UC Merced Diversity
UC Merced is known for its diverse student population, with a majority of students identifying as Hispanic or Latino. The university has numerous programs and resources to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.
UC Merced Students
UC Merced has an undergraduate enrollment of around 8,000 students. The university provides various opportunities for students to engage in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
UC Merced Campus
UC Merced is situated on a 7,000-acre campus, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. The campus offers a range of amenities, including dining halls, libraries, research centers, and sports facilities.
UC Merced Alumni
Notable alumni of UC Merced include Ryan P. Mullins, a professional soccer player, and Yue “Jessica” Wang, a prominent scientist.
UC Merced Rankings
UC Merced is ranked #97 among national universities by the U.S. News & World Report.
UC Merced Outcomes
UC Merced boasts a six-year graduation rate of 66% and an average starting salary for its graduates of around $56,000 per year.
Santa Clara University Overview
Santa Clara University (SCU) is a private Jesuit university located in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 1851, SCU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, engineering, arts and sciences, law, and theology.
Santa Clara University Costs & Tuition
Annual tuition at SCU is approximately $53,634, with additional expenses for room, board, and other fees.
Santa Clara University Admissions
Admission to SCU is considered highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 50%. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation.
Santa Clara University Degrees Offered
SCU offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees across its schools, including business, engineering, arts and sciences, law, and theology.
Santa Clara University Academics
SCU has a low student-faculty ratio of 11:1, providing students with personalized attention and support from faculty members. Popular majors at SCU include finance, engineering, and psychology.
Santa Clara University Diversity
SCU is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus, with a variety of programs and resources available to support students of all backgrounds.
Santa Clara University Students
SCU has an undergraduate enrollment of around 5,694 students. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with numerous clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities available for students to participate in.
Santa Clara University Campus
SCU’s picturesque 106-acre urban campus features modern facilities and infrastructure, including state-of-the-art classrooms, research centers, libraries, and sports facilities.
Santa Clara University Alumni
Notable alumni of SCU include Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, and Steve Nash, a former NBA player.
Santa Clara University Rankings
Santa Clara University is ranked #53 among national universities by the U.S. News & World Report.
Santa Clara University Outcomes
SCU has a high six-year graduation rate of 89% and an average starting salary for its graduates of around $71,000 per year.
UC Merced vs Santa Clara University Cost Comparison
UC Merced is significantly more affordable than Santa Clara University, with in-state tuition almost four times lower than SCU’s tuition. However, out-of-state students at UC Merced will face a higher tuition cost, though still lower than SCU.
UC Merced vs Santa Clara University Admissions Difficulty
Santa Clara University has a more selective admissions process than UC Merced, with an acceptance rate of 50% compared to 72% for UC Merced.
UC Merced vs Santa Clara University Academic Difficulty
Both UC Merced and SCU offer challenging academic programs, but UC Merced’s larger student-faculty ratio might mean less individualized attention and support from faculty members. SCU, with its lower ratio, may provide a more intimate and personalized learning experience.
UC Merced vs Santa Clara University Outcome Comparison
Santa Clara University has a higher six-year graduation rate (89%) and a higher average starting salary for its graduates ($71,000) compared to UC Merced, which has a six-year graduation rate of 66% and an average starting salary of $56,000.
