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Head-to-head comparison

University of California-Riverside vs University of California-Merced: which has better ROI?

Public, Riverside CA · vs · Public, Merced CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Riverside, CA

University of California-Riverside

Net price / year
$14,304
Earnings, 10 years
$67,699
Payback
3 yrs

Option B Merced, CA

University of California-Merced

Net price / year
$11,983
Earnings, 10 years
$64,368
Payback
3 yrs
The verdict

University of California-Riverside has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,216 in 3 years versus 3 years at University of California-Merced, on median earnings of $67,699 vs $64,368 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-RiversideUniversity of California-Merced
Net price / yr$14,304$11,983
Total net cost$57,216$47,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,699$64,368
Median debt$17,500$16,144
Payback3 yrs3 yrs
20-year net return$329,564$272,228

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or University of California-Merced?

University of California-Merced, at $11,983 a year after aid versus $14,304 — a gap of $2,321 a year, or $9,284 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-Riverside or University of California-Merced graduates earn more?

University of California-Riverside graduates report a median $67,699 ten years after entry, $3,331 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-Riverside or University of California-Merced?

University of California-Merced: its completers carry a median $16,144 in federal loans versus $17,500 at University of California-Riverside, a difference of $1,356. 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?

76% of students finish at University of California-Riverside, 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.

University of California-Riverside vs University of California-Merced: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-Riverside or University of California-Merced a better value?
University of California-Riverside. It clears its $57,216 net cost in about 3 years versus 3 years at University of California-Merced, on median earnings of $67,699 vs $64,368 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced: $11,983/yr net price after aid versus $14,304/yr at University of California-Riverside — a difference of $2,321 a year, or about $9,284 over four years.
Do University of California-Riverside or University of California-Merced graduates earn more?
University of California-Riverside graduates earn a median $67,699 ten years after entry, versus $64,368 at University of California-Merced — a $3,331 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.