Side-by-side
University of California-Merced vs University of California-Riverside
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same s setting in the West, but higher admit rate (91% vs 76%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
| University of California-Merced | University of California-Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 91% | 76% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $15,623 | $15,606 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $49,823 | $49,806 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $15,623 | $15,606 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $49,823 | $49,806 |
| Graduation rate | 69% | 76% |
| Total enrollment | 8,372 | 22,593 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/university-of-california-merced-vs-university-of-california-riverside.