UC Merced vs. Los Angeles Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Merced in Merced, CA with Los Angeles Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Merced is larger than Los Angeles Pacific University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Merced is located in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Los Angeles Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Los Angeles Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Merced 20:1; Los Angeles Pacific University 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pacific University are 8.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($19,632 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 303.1% higher at UC Merced than at Los Angeles Pacific University (about $37,463 more per year; $49,823 vs. $12,360).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Pacific University than at University of California Merced (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 253% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pacific University students ($27,292 vs. $7,732).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UC Merced, open admission at Los Angeles Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Los Angeles Pacific University graduates ($19,899 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Los Angeles Pacific University graduates ($205 vs. $232).
• More Los Angeles Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 64%).

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