CSN vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Southern Nevada is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (28,313 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Southern Nevada is located in Las Vegas, NV (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of Southern Nevada is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Nevada 18:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

CSN vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSN or UC Merced? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Southern Nevada than UC Merced ($7,205 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Southern Nevada are 38.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,200 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 258.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSN (about $11,265 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $4,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 282.5% higher at UC Merced than at College of Southern Nevada (about $36,799 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $13,024.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at College of Southern Nevada (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 376% larger than aid received by College of Southern Nevada students ($27,292 vs. $5,734).

CSN vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSN or UC Merced? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Merced and CSN.

• College of Southern Nevada reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSN - Open admission; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

CSN vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSN and UC Merced? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Nevada graduates have a $9,399 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($10,500 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, CSN graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($108 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSN students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.