RIC vs. UC Merced

Rhode Island College and University of California Merced side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rhode Island College
University of California Merced

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UC Merced (90.5% admitted vs 91.8%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: RIC. Average net price is $10,346 vs $13,690 at UC Merced.
  • Graduation: RIC 44% vs UC Merced 58%.
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Key differences

Rhode Island College University of California Merced
Acceptance rate
UC Merced more selective
RIC91.8%
UC Merced90.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UC Merced higher
RIC870-1120
UC Merced960-1140
Average net price
RIC $3,344 less
RIC$10,346
UC Merced$13,690
In-state tuition
RIC $4,323 less
RIC$11,300
UC Merced$15,623
Out-of-state tuition
RIC $22,524 less
RIC$27,299
UC Merced$49,823
Graduation rate
UC Merced +14 pts
RIC44%
UC Merced58%
Median earnings (10 years)
RIC +$42,000
RIC$42,000
UC Merced-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RIC 5,415
  • UC Merced 31,928
  • Admitted
  • RIC 4,972
  • UC Merced 28,906
  • Acceptance rate
  • RIC 91.8%
  • UC Merced 90.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RIC 23.1%
  • UC Merced 7.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RIC 1000
  • UC Merced 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • RIC
  • UC Merced 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • RIC 3.08
  • UC Merced 3.55
  • Typical high school grades
  • RIC B
  • UC Merced A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • UC Merced Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • RIC
  • UC Merced
  • SAT range
  • RIC 870-1120
  • UC Merced 960-1140
  • ACT range
  • RIC
  • UC Merced 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • RIC Test optional
  • UC Merced Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027
  • UC Merced Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RIC $11,300
  • UC Merced $15,623
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RIC $27,299
  • UC Merced $49,823
  • Room & board
  • RIC $13,414
  • UC Merced $21,445
  • Average net price
  • RIC $10,346
  • UC Merced $13,690
  • Average grant aid
  • RIC $6,706
  • UC Merced $27,292
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RIC 95%
  • UC Merced 89%
  • Graduation rate
  • RIC 44%
  • UC Merced 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RIC $42,000
  • UC Merced N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • RIC 59%
  • UC Merced 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RIC $21,200
  • UC Merced $19,899
  • Median loan payment
  • RIC $219
  • UC Merced $205
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RIC 15:1
  • UC Merced 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • UC Merced
    • Psychology (22%)
    • Biology (21%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Business (12%)
  • Location
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • UC Merced Merced, CA
  • Setting
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • UC Merced Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • RIC 6,155
  • UC Merced 9,110
  • Type
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • UC Merced Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RIC #843
  • UC Merced #642

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI 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 RIC based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 6,155 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 37.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,414 vs. $21,445).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.5% higher at UC Merced than at Rhode Island College (about $22,524 more per year; $49,823 vs. $27,299).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at University of California Merced (95% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 307% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($27,292 vs. $6,706).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at RIC, test-free at UC Merced.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UC Merced average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at RIC (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $1,301 lower median loan debt than RIC graduates ($19,899 vs. $21,200).
  • Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIC graduates ($205 vs. $219).
  • More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 59%).

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

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