Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Merced vs Gnomon: which has better ROI?
Option A Merced, CA
University of California-Merced
- Net price / year
- $11,983
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,368
- Payback
- 3 yrs
Option B North Hollywood, CA
Gnomon
- Net price / year
- $51,949
- Earnings, 10 years
- $114,785
- Payback
- 3.1 yrs
University of California-Merced has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $47,932 in 3 years versus 3.1 years at Gnomon, on median earnings of $64,368 vs $114,785 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Merced | Gnomon |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,983 | $51,949 |
| Total net cost | $47,932 | $207,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,368 | $114,785 |
| Median debt | $16,144 | $28,332 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $272,228 | $1,120,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Merced or Gnomon?
University of California-Merced, at $11,983 a year after aid versus $51,949 — a gap of $39,966 a year, or $159,864 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of California-Merced or Gnomon graduates earn more?
Gnomon graduates report a median $114,785 ten years after entry, $50,417 more than the $64,368 at University of California-Merced. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of California-Merced or Gnomon?
University of California-Merced: its completers carry a median $16,144 in federal loans versus $28,332 at Gnomon, a difference of $12,188. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
100% of students finish at Gnomon, against 69% at University of California-Merced. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.