University of California-Merced vs. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to UC Merced or Loyola Marymount University (LMU)?“
University of California-Merced
Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU). 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of California-Merced | Loyola Marymount University (LMU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $13,208 | $42,795 |
| Net Price | $13,011 | $37,606 |
| Average Financial Aid | $11,923 | $17,917 |
| Total Undergraduates | 6237 | 6162 |
| Average SAT Scores | 900 - 1120 | 1110 - 1300 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61 | 51 |
| Location | 5200 North Lake Road | One Lmu Drive |
| City Name | Merced | Los Angeles |
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 Los Angeles. UC Merced is in a Mountain and Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of California-Merced or Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of California-Merced 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. UC Merced charges for on-campus living, while Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of California-Merced, % | Loyola Marymount University (LMU),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 12.75 | 44.89 |
| Hispanic | 48.47 | 21.19 |
| Black | 4.81 | 6.3 |
| Foreign | 5.29 | 8.540000000000001 |
| Others | 28.7 | 19.1 |
How different is the University of California-Merced campus compared to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU) campus is located in Los Angeles, CA and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
UC Merced provides $11,923 whereas Loyola Marymount University (LMU) provides an average of $17,917.
How does UC Merced academics compare to Loyola Marymount University (LMU)?
When analyzing academics between University of California-Merced and Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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 | Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | 5 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | 17 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | 145 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | N/A | 19 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | 30 |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 236 | 83 |
| Education | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: University of California-Merced or Loyola Marymount University (LMU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between UC Merced and Loyola Marymount University (LMU). 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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU)?
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 Loyola Marymount University (LMU).
Check here.
Check here.