Sonoma State University vs. UC Merced

Should I go to Sonoma State University or University of California Merced? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Sonoma State University or UC Merced is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Sonoma State University vs. University of California Merced comparison
Sonoma State University University of California Merced College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University University of California Merced
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Overview

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Location Rohnert Park, CA Merced, CA
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,637 9,103
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #605
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu ucmerced.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $41,636
Room & Board $14,926 $19,340
Avg Net Price $15,507 $13,549
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $25,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 83%

Admission

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 29,920
Admitted 10,158 26,766
Acceptance Rate 94% 89.5%
Enrolled % 9.5% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.55
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 19/24
SAT Range 950/1150 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Psychology (22%)
  • Biology (21%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Graduation Rate 57% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $19,899
Median Loan Payment $180 $205

Diversity

Sonoma State University UC Merced
% Men 37% 51%
% Women 63% 49%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 13%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 29% 48%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University UC Merced
% In-State 97% 99%
% Out-of-State 3% 0%

Campus

Sonoma State University UC Merced
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Merced is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,103 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or UC Merced?

  • University of California Merced is 101.4% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($11,564.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 136.3% higher at UC Merced than Sonoma State University ($41,636.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than Sonoma State University ($13,549 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 29.6% lower than costs at University of California Merced ($14,926 vs. $19,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of California Merced than Sonoma State University (83% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 255% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($25,868 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. UC Merced Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or UC Merced? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UC Merced or Sonoma State University .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Merced (1025) is 29 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming UC Merced students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than UC Merced (89.5%)

Sonoma State University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or UC Merced? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UC Merced and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at UC Merced is higher than Sonoma State University (58% vs. 57%)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $2,399 lower median federal student loan debt than UC Merced graduates. ($17,500 vs. $19,899)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than UC Merced graduates. ($180 vs. $205)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/