UC Merced vs California Lutheran University

Compare two rival schools - University of California-Merced and California Lutheran University with tuition and admission information where UC Merced is a four-years, public located in Merced, CA and California Lutheran University is a four-years, private (not-for-profit) located in Thousand Oaks, CA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • UC Merced is a public and California Lutheran University is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-years schools.
  • California Lutheran University has more expensive tuition & fees ($50,670) than UC Merced ($44,944).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Merced than California Lutheran University.
  • UC Merced has more students with 9,103 students while California Lutheran University has 3,615 students.
  • California Lutheran University has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UC Merced has more full-time faculties with 450 faculties while California Lutheran University has 179 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - University of California-Merced and California Lutheran University.
UC Mercedvs.California Lutheran University
Merced, CaliforniaLocationThousand Oaks, California
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$14,167
Out-Of-State$44,944
2024 Tuition & Fees$50,670
88%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$24,089Average Amount of Financial Aid$29,756
39.00 %Acceptance Rates89.00 %
9.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.00 %
-SAT Score1,220
-ACT Score26
67 %Graduation Rate73 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate22 %
82 %Retention Rate81 %
9,103Student Population3,615
450Number of Faculties179
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services