UC Merced vs University of Vermont (UVM)
Nestled in the heart of California's Central Valley, University of California-Merced (UC-Merced) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, while nestled amidst the rolling Green Mountains of Vermont, University of Vermont (UVM) exudes a charm that is uniquely its own. Both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities for students to thrive, but they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. UC-Merced boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring scholars, while UVM's acceptance rate is more selective, ensuring a highly competitive and academically rigorous environment. Delve into the comparison table below to uncover further distinctions between these two esteemed universities, including popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of California-Merced |
![]() University of Vermont |
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Overview |
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Location | Merced, California | Burlington, Vermont |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Small |
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 | 79.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.6% | 63.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | N/A | 1240 - 1410 |
ACT range | N/A | 29 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 34.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 14.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 27,793 | 25,559 |
Total number of admissions given out | 24,068 | 16,233 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,410 | 2,932 |
Yield rate | 10.0% | 18.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,870
Out of state:
$58,624
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In state:
$36,880
Out of state:
$61,768
|
Average net price | $11,586 | $19,873 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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In state:
$16,392
Out of state:
$41,280
|
Room & board | $18,901 |
Room/dormitory:
$8,756
Meal plan:
$4,568
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $21,623 |
94.0%
Average amount $18,366 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
18.0%
Average amount $4,470 |
46.0%
Average amount $5,032 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $2,687 |
14.0%
Average amount $17,064 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,321
Men 47.7% Women 52.3% |
11,626
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
Graduate students |
772
Men 55.8% Women 44.2% |
2,200
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 0.2% | 82.3% |
International students | 8.7% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,634 | 6,492 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Alaska Idaho Missouri Texas | Mississippi Vermont New York Connecticut New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 71.6% | 77.1% |
Dropout rate | 5.0% | 22.2% |
Transferred out | 22.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Cognitive Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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