Last reviewed: August 2026
UC Merced and Sacramento State are accessible California public universities with growing research profiles, diverse student communities and strong commitments to student opportunity. They offer very different versions of the public-university experience.
UC Merced is a smaller University of California campus with an R1 research classification, a newer and more residential campus, and structured opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research.
Sacramento State is a much larger California State University campus in the state capital. It offers more than 180 degree programs across eight colleges, competes in NCAA Division I athletics and provides access to the professional, civic and cultural resources of the Sacramento region.
The better fit depends on the student's academic interests, preferred campus environment, financial-aid offer and career goals.
UC Merced
- •University of California campus
- •R1 research university (Carnegie Classification)
- •Over 9,600 students, a campus record, in fall 2025 (UC Merced)
- •43 majors and 48 degree programs (UC Merced)
- •Two years of university housing guaranteed for eligible fall 2026 first-year students (UC Merced)
- •NCAA Division II athletics with 12 varsity teams (UC Merced)
Sacramento State
- •California State University campus
- •R2 research university (Carnegie Classification)
- •More than 31,000 total students, 91% of whom are undergraduates (Sacramento State)
- •More than 180 degree programs across eight colleges (Sacramento State)
- •Approximately 250 student organizations (Sacramento State)
- •NCAA Division I athletics with approximately 400 student-athletes (Sacramento State)
The short version
UC Merced may appeal to students who want a smaller UC research environment, a more residential campus and structured access to undergraduate research.
Sacramento State may appeal to students who want more academic options, a larger and more established campus, Division I athletics, lower published costs and access to California's capital region.
Neither profile is better for every student.
At a glance
| UC Merced | Sacramento State | |
|---|---|---|
| University system | University of California | California State University |
| Location | Merced, California | Sacramento, California |
| Campus setting | A growing residential research campus in California's San Joaquin Valley (UC Merced) | A large campus along the American River in California's capital city, serving residential and commuting students (Sacramento State) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | Over 9,600 students, a campus record, fall 2025 (UC Merced) | More than 31,000 total students, with 91% enrolled as undergraduates (Sacramento State). Money's 2026 profile reports 28,350 undergraduates (Money-reported figure). |
| Academic options | 43 majors and 48 degree programs (UC Merced) | More than 180 degree programs across eight colleges (Sacramento State; colleges). This total counts degree programs at all levels, not undergraduate majors alone; Money describes approximately 55 undergraduate majors (Money-reported figure). |
| Research classification | R1, Research 1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production, under the 2025 Carnegie Classifications (Carnegie; UC Merced) | R2, Research 2: High Research Spending and Doctorate Production, under the 2025 Carnegie Classifications (Carnegie; Sacramento State) |
| Undergraduate research | The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center helps students find faculty-mentored research and prepare for graduate study (UC Merced) | The Student Research Center provides research support, workshops and presentation resources for undergraduate and graduate students. Students can also join faculty-mentored programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (Sacramento State). |
| First-generation students | 66% of undergraduates are first-generation, fall 2025 (UC Merced) | 29% of students are the first in their families to attend college, according to the current Fact Book (Sacramento State) |
| First-year admissions | 94% first-year admission rate, fall 2025, when rounded (UC Admissions) | Money's 2026 profile reports a 94% acceptance rate (Money-reported figure), which is not an official campus fall 2026 rate and does not use the same reporting cycle as UC Merced's figure. Sacramento State requires first-year applicants to complete the A–G course pattern and meet its admission index; California applicants generally need an index of 2,500 (Sacramento State). |
| Published undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, 2026–27 | $17,024 for a California resident (UC Merced) | $9,656 for a full-time undergraduate for the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters combined, consisting of $6,838 in systemwide tuition and $2,818 in mandatory campus fees (Sacramento State) |
| Published on-campus cost of attendance, 2026–27 | $48,654 for a California resident living on campus (UC Merced) | Approximately $36,444 for a full-time undergraduate living on campus. This total was calculated by adding Sacramento State's published components: $9,656 tuition and mandatory fees, $20,212 living expenses, $1,240 books and supplies, $1,528 transportation and $3,808 personal expenses (Sacramento State). |
| Financial aid | See UC Merced's official cost and financial-aid information and net price calculator | Money's 2026 profile reports that 82% of undergraduates receive grants and estimates a net price after average financial aid of $10,660 (Money-reported figures, based on federal, Peterson's and Money/Witlytic data) |
| Housing | Eligible first-year students entering in fall 2026 can receive two years of guaranteed university housing when they meet the published requirements and deadlines (UC Merced) | On-campus housing accommodates approximately 3,200 residents in North Village and Hornet Commons, and students must apply (Sacramento State; housing). Housing is not guaranteed. The new Mt. Whitney Hall opened for fall 2026 (Sacramento State). |
| Student organizations | Approximately 200 clubs and organizations (UC Merced) | Approximately 250 student organizations (Sacramento State; Sacramento State) |
| Athletics | 12 NCAA Division II varsity teams (UC Merced; UC Merced) | Approximately 400 student-athletes compete at the NCAA Division I level (Sacramento State). Money's 2026 profile identifies 21 intercollegiate teams (Money-reported figure). |
| Best fit | Students seeking a smaller UC research university, a growing residential campus and structured undergraduate research opportunities | Students seeking more academic options, a larger campus, Division I athletics, lower published costs and access to California's capital region |
Published tuition and fees are amounts before financial aid, and the UC and CSU systems use different tuition and fee structures.
Cost of attendance is a planning estimate. It includes more than tuition and can vary based on housing, food, transportation and personal choices. A student's actual net price may be substantially lower after grants and scholarships.
Where an exact fall 2025 undergraduate headcount is not published by Sacramento State, this page describes its undergraduate population as approximately 28,000 students and labels the source.
Detailed fit comparison
UC Merced may fit you especially well if:
- •Learning experience: You want the experience of a smaller, growing University of California campus where research is central to the university's mission.
- •Academic options: 43 majors and 48 degree programs across engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts and management-related fields include what you want to study.
- •Research and hands-on learning: You want faculty-mentored research at an R1 university, with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center helping you find a mentor and prepare for graduate study.
- •Career connections: You want to connect your studies to opportunities across the San Joaquin Valley, the University of California system and California more broadly.
- •Campus experience: You want a newer, more residential campus with approximately 200 organizations and, for eligible fall 2026 first-year students, two years of guaranteed university housing.
- •Cost and value: A UC education and UC financial aid matter to you, and your UC Merced aid offer produces the stronger net cost for your family.
Sacramento State may fit you especially well if:
- •Learning experience: You want the energy and range of a large public university, studying across eight colleges alongside residential students, commuters, transfer students and working students.
- •Academic options: More than 180 degree programs across eight colleges, including arts and letters, business, education, engineering and computer science, health and human services, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences, include what you want to study.
- •Research and hands-on learning: You want an R2 university where the Student Research Center and individual colleges support faculty-mentored projects, laboratories, fieldwork and summer research programs.
- •Career connections: You want to study at the only public university in California's capital and explore government, public policy, criminal justice, health, education, business and nonprofit fields.
- •Campus experience: You want a larger campus with approximately 250 student organizations, around 3,200 on-campus residents, NCAA Division I athletics and the option to live on campus or commute.
- •Cost and value: Lower published tuition, fees and on-campus planning estimate matter to your family, and your Sacramento State aid offer produces the stronger net cost.
Learning experience
UC Merced
UC Merced offers the experience of a smaller, growing University of California campus. Research is central to the university's mission, and its undergraduate population is substantially smaller than Sacramento State's.
Sacramento State
Sacramento State offers the energy and range of a large public university. Students study across eight colleges alongside a large undergraduate community that includes residential students, commuters, transfer students and working students (Sacramento State).
Fit takeaway: UC Merced may appeal to a student who wants a smaller UC research environment. Sacramento State may appeal to a student who wants the broader academic and extracurricular range of a much larger university.
Academic options
UC Merced
UC Merced offers 43 majors and 48 degree programs across engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts and management-related fields.
Sacramento State
Sacramento State offers more than 180 degree programs across eight colleges, including Arts and Letters, Business, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Health and Human Services, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. That total counts degree programs at all levels rather than undergraduate majors alone.
Fit takeaway: Sacramento State offers more total academic options. UC Merced may be the stronger fit when a student's intended program aligns with its academic and research strengths. Students should compare the curriculum, concentrations, accreditation and admission requirements within the specific major they want.
Research and hands-on learning
UC Merced
UC Merced is an R1 university. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center helps students find faculty-mentored projects, develop research skills and prepare for graduate education.
Sacramento State
Sacramento State earned R2 status in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. Its Student Research Center provides research support across disciplines, and individual colleges offer faculty-mentored projects, laboratories, fieldwork and summer research programs.
Fit takeaway: UC Merced operates at the higher R1 level of institutional research activity. Sacramento State combines an R2 research profile with the scale and applied focus of a large CSU campus. At either university, access to a specific opportunity depends on the department, faculty availability, student preparation and application process.
Career connections
UC Merced
UC Merced connects students with opportunities throughout the San Joaquin Valley, the University of California system and California, supported by the Career Center. Its growing alumni network includes graduates working across the state and beyond.
Sacramento State
Sacramento State is the only public university in California's capital (Sacramento State). Its location can support exploration of government, public policy, criminal justice, health, education, business and nonprofit work, and its academic programs maintain relationships with community and regional partners (Sacramento State).
Fit takeaway: Sacramento State may be especially appealing to students interested in public service, government or careers connected to the capital region. UC Merced may appeal to students seeking a smaller research university and opportunities connected to the Central Valley and UC system. Location creates possibilities, but it does not guarantee an internship or job, and no university can promise a particular career outcome.
Campus experience
UC Merced
UC Merced offers a newer and more residential campus experience. Eligible fall 2026 first-year students can qualify for two years of guaranteed university housing, and the university offers approximately 200 clubs and organizations along with 12 NCAA Division II varsity teams (UC Merced).
Sacramento State
Sacramento State offers a larger campus with approximately 250 student organizations, around 3,200 on-campus residents and NCAA Division I athletics with approximately 400 student-athletes. Students can live on campus or commute from the Sacramento region.
Fit takeaway: UC Merced may fit students who want a more consistently residential experience on a smaller campus. Sacramento State may fit students who want more organizations, Division I sports and the activity of a larger university in a capital city.
Housing and residential life
UC Merced
Eligible first-year students entering in fall 2026 can receive two years of guaranteed university housing when they meet the university's requirements and deadlines.
Sacramento State
On-campus housing accommodates approximately 3,200 residents in North Village and Hornet Commons, and students must apply for housing. Housing is not guaranteed. Sacramento State opened the new Mt. Whitney Hall for fall 2026 (Sacramento State).
Cost and value
UC Merced
For 2026–27, UC Merced lists $17,024 in tuition and mandatory fees for a California resident and a $48,654 estimated cost of attendance for a resident living on campus.
Estimate your family's cost with the UC Merced net price calculator.
Sacramento State
For 2026–27, Sacramento State lists $9,656 in full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for the fall and spring semesters. Its published expense components produce an estimated on-campus annual budget of approximately $36,444.
Money's 2026 profile separately estimates a net price after average financial aid of $10,660 and reports that 82% of undergraduates receive grants (Money-reported figures).
Fit takeaway: Sacramento State has the lower published tuition, fees and on-campus planning estimate. That does not mean it will cost less for every student. Institutional grants, state and federal aid, housing choices and transportation can change the actual net price. Students should compare personalized financial-aid offers from both universities before making a decision.
UC Merced vs. Sacramento State admissions
Both universities admit a large share of applicants, but they use different admissions systems.
UC Merced
UC Merced reported a 94% first-year admission rate for fall 2025, when rounded. Students must complete the University of California's academic requirements and submit an application for review (admissions).
Sacramento State
Money's 2026 profile reports a 94% acceptance rate for Sacramento State. The university's official admissions page requires applicants to complete the A–G course pattern and meet its admission index; California applicants generally need an index of 2,500.
The two acceptance-rate figures come from different sources and may represent different reporting cycles. They should not be used to predict an individual student's admission decision. Admission can also vary for impacted or capacity-limited programs.
Current national recognition
Forbes 2026
UC Merced
- •No. 190 in America's Top Colleges
- •No. 45 in the West (Forbes)
- •Additional detail: No. 131 among research universities
Sacramento State
- •No. 280 in America's Top Colleges
- •No. 66 in the West (Forbes)
- •Additional detail: no directly corresponding 2026 research-university ranking is displayed on the current Forbes profile
The two shared Forbes categories are America's Top Colleges and In the West. UC Merced's research-university ranking is shown as an additional labeled detail because Forbes does not currently display a corresponding 2026 figure for Sacramento State.
U.S. News & World Report
UC Merced
- •No. 69 among National Universities, 2027 rankings
- •No. 30 among Top Public Schools, 2027 rankings
- •No. 4 for Social Mobility, national category, 2027 rankings
- •No. 18 among Best Value Schools for in-state students, 2027 rankings
- •No. 40 among Best Colleges for Veterans, 2027 rankings
- •In California: No. 7 among public universities and No. 11 overall (UC Merced)
Sacramento State
- •Undergraduate engineering program ranked among the top 12% nationally at institutions where a doctorate is not offered, 2027 rankings
- •No. 8 in Civil Engineering, 2027 rankings
- •No. 11 in Computer Engineering, 2027 rankings
- •No. 17 in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, 2027 rankings (Sacramento State)
These figures come from different ranking categories — UC Merced from the National Universities lists, Sacramento State from the undergraduate engineering specialty rankings at schools without doctoral programs — so they are not directly comparable numbers.
Money 2026
UC Merced
- •4.5 out of 5 stars in Money's 2026 Best Colleges analysis (UC Merced)
Sacramento State
- •Included among America's Best Colleges for 2026
- •94% acceptance rate
- •$35,770 estimated full price
- •$10,660 estimated price after average financial aid
- •71% graduation rate
- •$15,000 median student debt (Money)
Money's estimated full price and net price use Money's own methodology and are not identical to Sacramento State's official cost-of-attendance calculation. No Money star rating is listed for Sacramento State here because one is not verifiable on its current profile.
Recognition methodology note
Rankings measure different aspects of a university and use different categories, data and weighting systems. UC Merced is generally evaluated as a national university, while Sacramento State has historically appeared in regional western university categories. Rankings from different categories or editions should not be treated as head-to-head scores.
Forbes, U.S. News and Money should be considered alongside academic fit, financial aid, student support, location and the experience a student wants.
Before you choose, answer these
- •Which university offers the undergraduate program you actually want?
- •Do you want a University of California or a California State University experience?
- •Do you want to live on campus, commute, or keep both options open?
- •How early do you want to be working with a professor on research?
- •What does each university cost your family after grants and scholarships?
- •Which surrounding community — Merced or Sacramento — fits your daily life?
- •Which sports, clubs and campus events would you actually take part in?
- •What support does each campus offer students in your situation?
Which university may fit you?
UC Merced may fit you especially well if…
- •You want a University of California education
- •You want to study at an R1 research university
- •You prefer a smaller and more residential campus
- •You want structured support for finding undergraduate research
- •Your intended major is available and fits your goals
- •You qualify for UC Merced's two-year housing guarantee
- •Your financial-aid offer makes the total cost manageable
Sacramento State may fit you especially well if…
- •You want a California State University education in the state capital
- •You want more academic program options
- •You want an R2 university with applied and faculty-mentored research
- •You prefer the activity and resources of a larger campus
- •You want NCAA Division I athletics and approximately 250 organizations
- •You value Sacramento State's lower published tuition and cost estimate
- •Your financial-aid offer makes it the stronger personal value
The right choice is the university that offers the strongest combination of academic fit, affordability, support and environment for the individual student.
Frequently asked questions
- Is UC Merced or Sacramento State more affordable?
- Sacramento State has the lower published 2026–27 tuition, mandatory fees and on-campus planning estimate. The more affordable university for a particular student depends on grants, scholarships, housing, transportation and other personal expenses.
- Is it easier to get into UC Merced or Sacramento State?
- The published figures are similar but are not perfectly matched. UC Merced's official fall 2025 first-year admission rate is 94% when rounded. Money's 2026 profile reports a 94% acceptance rate for Sacramento State. Neither percentage guarantees admission, particularly for programs with additional requirements or limited capacity.
- Which university offers more majors?
- Sacramento State offers more total academic programs. It reports more than 180 degree programs across eight colleges, while UC Merced offers 43 majors and 48 degree programs. Students should compare their intended programs rather than choosing based only on the total number.
- Which university has the stronger research classification?
- UC Merced is classified as R1, the highest Carnegie research-activity category. Sacramento State is classified as R2. Both support undergraduate research, but UC Merced operates at a higher level of overall institutional research activity.
- Is Sacramento State a research university?
- Yes. Sacramento State received an R2 designation in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, reflecting high research spending and research-doctorate production.
- Does Sacramento State's location guarantee a government internship?
- No. Its capital-city location can make government, public-service and policy organizations easier to explore, but students must apply and qualify for internships. Opportunities vary by program and employer.
- Which university has the more residential campus?
- UC Merced has the more consistently residential profile and offers eligible fall 2026 first-year students a two-year housing guarantee. Sacramento State houses approximately 3,200 students but also serves many students who commute from the surrounding region.
- Which university has more school spirit and athletics?
- Both offer intercollegiate athletics. Sacramento State competes in NCAA Division I and has a larger athletic program. UC Merced competes in NCAA Division II with 12 varsity teams. The better experience depends on whether a student wants a larger Division I environment or a smaller campus community.
- Do both universities support first-generation students?
- Yes. UC Merced reported that 66% of its undergraduates were first-generation in fall 2025. Sacramento State's current Fact Book reports that 29% of students are the first in their families to attend college.
- Which university is better overall?
- Neither is automatically better for every student. UC Merced may be the stronger fit for students prioritizing a smaller UC research environment and residential experience. Sacramento State may be the stronger fit for students prioritizing more programs, lower published costs, Division I athletics and access to the capital region.
Methodology and sources
This comparison uses information published by UC Merced, Sacramento State, the University of California, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Money.
Enrollment, admissions, cost and ranking figures may refer to different years, populations or methodologies. Each figure is labeled with its source and year whenever that information is available. Sacramento State's approximately $36,444 on-campus budget was calculated by adding the university's published 2026–27 tuition, mandatory fees and expense components.
Rankings use different institutional categories and methodologies. UC Merced is generally evaluated as a national university, while Sacramento State has historically been evaluated within regional western categories. Those rankings should not be treated as direct scores against one another.
The page was last reviewed in August 2026. Students should confirm current admissions requirements, costs, academic offerings and housing policies directly with each university.
- •UC Merced facts and demographics
- •UC Merced undergraduate majors and minors
- •UC Merced undergraduate research
- •UC Merced cost of attendance, 2026–27
- •UC Merced housing
- •UC first-year admit data — Merced
- •UC Merced Carnegie classification
- •Sacramento State Fact Book
- •Sacramento State colleges
- •Sacramento State Student Research Center
- •Sacramento State Carnegie classification
- •Sacramento State R2 designation announcement
- •Sacramento State first-year admission process
- •Sacramento State tuition and living costs
- •Sacramento State housing
- •Forbes profile — UC Merced
- •Forbes profile — Sacramento State
- •Money profile — Sacramento State
- •Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
Compare the opportunities that matter most to you
Explore UC Merced's academic programs, research opportunities, housing and financial aid. Then compare those details with Sacramento State using the same personal priorities.
