WNC vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Nevada College is located in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Nevada College 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

WNC vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WNC 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 California Merced than WNC ($13,690 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Nevada College are 17.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($17,788 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 274.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $11,455 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 288.2% higher at UC Merced than at Western Nevada College (about $36,989 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Western Nevada College (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 364.6% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($27,292 vs. $5,874).

WNC vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WNC 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 WNC.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WNC - Open admission; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.

WNC vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WNC 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $8,583 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($11,316 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($117 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 30%)

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.