UNLV vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (32,911 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UNLV vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas than UC Merced ($11,553 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 41.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,628 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 60.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNLV (about $5,875 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.8% higher at UC Merced than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (about $22,412 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $27,411.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at University of California Merced (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 253.7% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($27,292 vs. $7,717).

UNLV vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Las Vegas (1130) is 80 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UNLV 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: University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNLV - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.2% at UNLV vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UNLV vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNLV 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Las Vegas graduates have a $881 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($19,018 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UNLV graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($196 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV 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.