University of California-Merced vs. Gonzaga University Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to UC Merced or GU?“
University of California-Merced
Gonzaga University
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of California-Merced and Gonzaga University. This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of California-Merced and Gonzaga University
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of California-Merced and Gonzaga University. The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of California-Merced | Gonzaga University | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $13,208 | $37,990 |
| Net Price | $13,011 | $32,083 |
| Average Financial Aid | $11,923 | $20,118 |
| Total Undergraduates | 6237 | 4965 |
| Average SAT Scores | 900 - 1120 | 1090 - 1290 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61 | 73 |
| Location | 5200 North Lake Road | E 502 Boone Ave |
| City Name | Merced | Spokane |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of California-Merced is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Merced and Spokane. UC Merced is in a Mountain and GU is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of California-Merced or Gonzaga University Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of California-Merced is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of California-Merced is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Gonzaga University is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do UC Merced Dorms Compare to housing Options at GU?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. UC Merced charges for on-campus living, while GU charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
UC Merced and GU student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of California-Merced, % | GU,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 12.75 | 72.43 |
| Hispanic | 48.47 | 10.13 |
| Black | 4.81 | 1.15 |
| Foreign | 5.29 | 1.59 |
| Others | 28.7 | 14.7 |
How different is the University of California-Merced campus compared to Gonzaga University campus?
The UC Merced campus is located in Merced, CA and is characterized as Rural: Fringe (rural territory up to 5 miles from an urbanized area or up to 2.5 miles from an urban cluster). The GU campus is located in Spokane, WA and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
UC Merced provides $11,923 whereas GU provides an average of $20,118.
How does UC Merced academics compare to GU?
When analyzing academics between University of California-Merced and Gonzaga University we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | UC Merced | GU |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | 14 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | 2 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | 95 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | N/A | 30 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 236 | 207 |
| Education | N/A | 56 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: University of California-Merced or Gonzaga University?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between UC Merced and GU. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does UC Merced social life compare to GU?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how UC Merced social life differs from GU.
Check here.
Check here.