Academic Comparison between UC Merced and LCAD

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

  • UC Merced is a public and LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) 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

University of California-Mercedvs.Laguna College of Art and Design
Merced, CaliforniaLocationLaguna Beach, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$14,167
Out-Of-State$44,944
2024 Tuition & Fees$35,650
88%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$24,089Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,780
39.00 %Acceptance Rates77.99 %
9.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)65.07 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
67 %Graduation Rate63 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate-
82 %Retention Rate79 %
9,103Student Population760
450Number of Faculties24
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services