NSU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA 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 NSU based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

NSU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana than UC Merced ($13,134 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 49.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($10,926 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 76.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $6,759 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.5% higher at UC Merced than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $30,171 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at University of California Merced (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 125.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($27,292 vs. $12,098).

NSU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU 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 NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at NSU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

NSU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU 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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,632 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 46%)

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.