West Texas A & M University vs. UC Merced

Should I go to West Texas A & M University or University of California Merced? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if West Texas A & M 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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West Texas A & M University vs. University of California Merced comparison
West Texas A & M University University of California Merced College 3 College 4
West Texas A & M University University of California Merced
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Overview

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Location Canyon, TX Merced, CA
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 9,242 9,103
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #887 #605
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wtamu.edu ucmerced.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Tuition (In State) $6,372 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $8,267 $41,636
Room & Board $9,860 $19,340
Avg Net Price $17,001 $13,549
Avg Grant Aid $7,500 $25,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 83%

Admission

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,695 29,920
Admitted 4,302 26,766
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 89.5%
Enrolled % 29.8% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.55
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 19/24
SAT Range 950/1150 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024 Nov 30, 2023

Academics

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Agriculture (7%)
  • Psychology (22%)
  • Biology (21%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (12%)

Outcomes

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Graduation Rate 42% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,100 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $19,899
Median Loan Payment $211 $205

Diversity

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
% Men 40% 51%
% Women 60% 49%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 60% 13%
% Black 6% 5%
% Hispanic 26% 48%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
% In-State 87% 99%
% Out-of-State 12% 0%

Campus

 West Texas A & M University UC Merced
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Texas A & M University is larger than than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (9,242 students vs. 9,103 students)

West Texas A & M University vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, West Texas A & M University or UC Merced?

  • University of California Merced is 81.5% more expensive to attend than West Texas A & M University for in-state tuition ($11,564.00 vs. $6,372.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 403.6% higher at UC Merced than West Texas A & M University ($41,636.00 vs. $8,267.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Merced than West Texas A & M University ($13,549 vs. $17,001)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Texas A & M University are 96.1% lower than costs at University of California Merced ($9,860 vs. $19,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Texas A & M University than University of California Merced (88% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 244.9% larger than aid received West Texas A & M University ($25,868 vs. $7,500)

West Texas A & M University vs. UC Merced Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of California Merced (1025) is 54 points higher than at West Texas A & M University (971)
  • Incoming UC Merced students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at West Texas A & M University (21)
  • Accepted freshman West Texas A & M University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UC Merced (3.55)
  • West Texas A & M University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than UC Merced (89.5%)

West Texas A & M University vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, West Texas A & M 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 West Texas A & M University.

  • The graduation rate at UC Merced is higher than West Texas A & M University (58% vs. 42%)
  • University of California Merced students graduate with a $601 lower median federal student loan debt than West Texas A & M University graduates. ($19,899 vs. $20,500)
  • UC Merced graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than West Texas A & M University graduates. ($205 vs. $211)
  • More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Texas A & M University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

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