Kean vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kean University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Kean vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean University than UC Merced ($12,708 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kean University are 14.8% lower than at University of California Merced ($18,264 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kean (about $1,324 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $14,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122% higher at UC Merced than at Kean University (about $27,377 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $22,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at University of California Merced (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 81.4% larger than aid received by Kean University students ($27,292 vs. $15,048).

Kean vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 10 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; 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: Kean - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Kean (3.2).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Kean vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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 Kean University's (49%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.