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