FIDM LA vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

FIDM LA vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA 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 University of California Merced than FIDM LA ($13,690 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Merced are 2.9% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($21,445 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 124% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $19,377 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at UC Merced than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (about $14,823 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 97.3% larger than aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students ($27,292 vs. $13,834).

FIDM LA vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA 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 FIDM LA.

• 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: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); UC Merced - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $6,899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($13,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($134 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.