Academic Comparison between LCAD and UC Merced

Laguna College of Art and Design and University of California-Merced are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, CA and UC Merced is a four-year, public school located in Merced, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) and UC Merced is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • UC Merced has more expensive tuition & fees ($44,944) than LCAD ($35,650).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Merced than LCAD.
  • UC Merced has more students with 9,103 students while LCAD has 760 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UC Merced has more full-time faculties with 450 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Laguna College of Art and Designvs.University of California-Merced
Laguna Beach, CaliforniaLocationMerced, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
School of art, music, and designCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$35,6502024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,167
Out-Of-State$44,944
99%% Receiving Financial Aid88%
$11,780Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,089
77.99 %Acceptance Rates39.00 %
65.07 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)9.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
63 %Graduation Rate67 %
-Transfer-out Rate22 %
79 %Retention Rate82 %
760Student Population9,103
24Number of Faculties450
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycare