University of California-Merced vs University of Michigan-Dearborn

University of California-Merced and University of Michigan-Dearborn are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of California-Merced is more selective with a 39.2% acceptance rate compared to University of Michigan-Dearborn's 58.6%.

Cost: University of Michigan-Dearborn offers a lower average net price at $10,904, which is $1,840 less than University of California-Merced ($12,744). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of California-Merced earn a median salary of $64,368 ten years after enrollment, which is $4,719 more than University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates ($59,649).

Graduation: University of California-Merced leads with a 68.3% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 83.1% vs 81.2%.

Campus Size: University of California-Merced is the larger campus with 8,372 total students, while University of Michigan-Dearborn has 5,882.

Bottom Line: University of Michigan-Dearborn wins on affordability while University of California-Merced leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.