Golden Gate University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Merced is larger than Golden Gate University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,098 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Golden Gate University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Golden Gate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Golden Gate University 7:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden Gate University are 38.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,200 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at UC Merced than at Golden Gate University (about $18,835 more per year; $49,823 vs. $30,988).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Golden Gate University (89% vs. 0%).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Golden Gate University, test-free at UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $9,940 lower median loan debt than Golden Gate University graduates ($19,899 vs. $29,839).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Golden Gate University graduates ($205 vs. $308).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Golden Gate University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 57%).

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