University of West Georgia vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of West Georgia is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (14,337 students vs. 9,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Georgia is located in Carrollton, GA (Distant Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of West Georgia 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 West Georgia 18:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Georgia are 40.4% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,782 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.9% higher at UC Merced than at University of West Georgia (about $32,023 more per year; $49,823 vs. $17,800).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Georgia than at University of California Merced (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 198.2% larger than aid received by University of West Georgia students ($27,292 vs. $9,151).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at UC Merced than at University of West Georgia (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at University of West Georgia, test-free at UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Georgia Jun 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UC Merced average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at University of West Georgia (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at University of West Georgia vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than University of West Georgia graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Georgia graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Georgia students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 45%).

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