California State University-Fresno vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Fresno is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 9,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 44.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($11,960 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.7% higher at UC Merced than at California State University Fresno (about $29,873 more per year; $49,823 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State University Fresno (89% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 121.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($27,292 vs. $12,326).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at UC Merced than at California State University-Fresno (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UC Merced average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $4,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($155 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.