City Tech vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn, NY with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY New York City College of Technology is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (14,486 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY New York City College of Technology is located in Brooklyn, NY (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• CUNY New York City College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY New York City College of Technology 16:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

City Tech vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City Tech 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 CUNY New York City College of Technology than UC Merced ($5,794 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Merced are 3.7% lower than at CUNY New York City College of Technology ($21,445 vs. $22,260).
• University of California Merced is 113.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than City Tech (about $8,291 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226% higher at UC Merced than at CUNY New York City College of Technology (about $34,541 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $15,282.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at CUNY New York City College of Technology (89% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 232.6% larger than aid received by CUNY New York City College of Technology students ($27,292 vs. $8,206).

City Tech vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City Tech 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 City Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 30 points higher than at City Tech (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY New York City College of Technology 900/1140; University 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: City Tech - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: City Tech Sep 1, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than City Tech (80.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at City Tech vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

City Tech vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City Tech 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than CUNY New York City College of Technology's (24%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates have a $9,286 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($10,613 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, City Tech graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($109 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City Tech students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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.