Chico State vs UC Merced

California State University-Chico and University of California-Merced, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in California, offer distinct educational experiences. CSU-Chico boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. UC-Merced, on the other hand, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of popular majors, CSU-Chico excels in fields like Business, Communication, and Education, while UC-Merced is known for its strengths in Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Engineering. CSU-Chico's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian students, while UC-Merced has a larger international student population. When it comes to graduation rates, UC-Merced has a slight edge over CSU-Chico. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best

	California State University-Chico	University of California-Merced
Overview
Location	Chico, California	Merced, California
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Rural: Fringe
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	81.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	85.5%	86.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	19,990	27,793
Total number of admissions given out	17,086	24,068
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,929	2,410
Yield rate	11.3%	10.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,984 Out of state: $35,864	In state: $28,870 Out of state: $58,624
Average net price	$13,749	$11,586
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,609 Meal plan: $3,881	$18,901
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	63.0% Average amount $8,691	92.0% Average amount $21,623
Students receiving federal student loan	29.0% Average amount $4,637	18.0% Average amount $4,470
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $11,369	1.0% Average amount $2,687

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,462 Men 45.5% Women 54.5%	8,321 Men 47.7% Women 52.3%
Graduate students	1,240 Men 33.6% Women 66.4%	772 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	1.3%	0.2%
International students	2.9%	8.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Rural: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	2,323	3,634
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Oregon Washington Arizona Colorado	California Alaska Idaho Missouri Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Health Professions Public Administration and Social Service Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Engineering Technologies	Engineering Physical Science Social Sciences English Language and Literature Psychology
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	65.4%	71.6%
Dropout rate	27.4%	5.0%
Transferred out	4.8%	22.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,107 Year 2: $95,797 Year 3: $96,478 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,190 Year 2: $83,091 Year 3: $93,961 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,808 Year 2: $74,241 Year 3: $91,563 Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,244 Year 2: $70,176 Year 3: $79,499 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,761 Year 2: $69,617 Year 3: $79,308 Engineering, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,803 Year 2: $66,355 Year 3: $76,389 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,879 Year 2: $59,350 Year 3: $74,258 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,880 Year 2: $66,222 Year 3: $74,116 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,298 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $69,321 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,812 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $68,680	Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,675 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $68,164 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,936 Year 2: $51,392 Year 3: $67,761 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,771 Year 2: $43,000 Year 3: $57,642 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,420 Year 2: $39,729 Year 3: $53,045 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,245 Year 2: $41,937 Year 3: $50,288 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,755 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $49,047 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,917 Year 2: $38,721 Year 3: $47,958 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,685 Year 2: $31,391 Year 3: $43,274 Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,397 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $42,368 Cognitive Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,909 Year 2: $28,960 Year 3: $40,928

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between CSU Chico and UC Merced?

CSU Chico and UC Merced differ primarily in their mission and focus. CSU Chico, as part of the California State University system, emphasizes undergraduate education and career preparation. UC Merced, as a University of California campus, prioritizes research and graduate studies, though it also offers strong undergraduate programs. This difference is reflected in the types of programs offered, the size of the student body, and the overall campus culture.
Which school is larger, CSU Chico or UC Merced?

CSU Chico is significantly larger than UC Merced. CSU Chico typically has an undergraduate enrollment of around 15,000 students, while UC Merced's undergraduate enrollment is closer to 9,000. This difference in size can impact class sizes, campus resources, and the overall student experience.
How do the academic programs compare between CSU Chico and UC Merced?

CSU Chico offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, particularly in areas like business, education, and communication. UC Merced, while offering a growing number of undergraduate programs, is known for its strengths in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and interdisciplinary research. Both universities offer a variety of majors, but their areas of emphasis differ.
What is the campus environment like at CSU Chico versus UC Merced?

CSU Chico has a more established and traditional college town feel, with a vibrant downtown area adjacent to the campus. It's known for its active student life and strong sense of community. UC Merced, being a newer campus, has a more modern and developing environment. It's located in a rapidly growing region and offers a close-knit community focused on innovation and research.
How do the costs of attending CSU Chico and UC Merced compare?

Tuition and fees at UC Merced are generally higher than those at CSU Chico, reflecting the differences in funding models between the UC and CSU systems. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like financial aid, housing choices, and personal spending habits. It's best to consult the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to explore available financial aid options.
Which school is more selective, CSU Chico or UC Merced?

UC Merced is generally more selective than CSU Chico. UC Merced, as a UC campus, has higher admission standards and typically requires a stronger academic record. CSU Chico, while still competitive, has a slightly higher acceptance rate. However, admission requirements can vary depending on the specific program or major you're applying to.
What are the research opportunities like at CSU Chico and UC Merced?

UC Merced places a strong emphasis on research, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research projects. CSU Chico also provides research opportunities, particularly for students in STEM fields, but the overall research focus is less pronounced compared to UC Merced. If research is a high priority, UC Merced may be a better fit.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both CSU Chico and UC Merced offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. CSU Chico, with its strong ties to local businesses and industries, may offer more readily available internship opportunities in certain fields. UC Merced is actively developing its career services and internship programs, particularly in the Central Valley region and in STEM-related fields. The best option depends on your specific career goals and field of study.
What are the popular majors at CSU Chico and UC Merced?

Popular majors at CSU Chico include Business Administration, Nursing, Psychology, and Communication Studies. At UC Merced, popular majors include Engineering (various disciplines), Biological Sciences, Computer Science, and Psychology. These are just examples, and both universities offer a wide range of other programs.
Which school is better for students interested in a specific major?

The 'better' school depends entirely on the specific major and your individual preferences. If you're interested in a program that's well-established at CSU Chico, like Agriculture or Construction Management, it might be a better fit. If you're drawn to cutting-edge research in STEM fields and a more interdisciplinary approach, UC Merced could be a stronger choice. Research the specific programs you're interested in at both universities to determine which aligns best with your academic and career goals.

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