I think UCM 's step down is in location. At least in our neck of the woods, suburban SF, when someone suggests that a kid go to Merced, “but would you want to live in Merced?” The university as it ages may overcome this, because I’m not sure I’d want to live in Davis or Riverside either, as a native, but at least Davis is well regarded for the things it does well. UCM will probably overcome that in time. I think, though Merced is generally a better school than the best CSU, at least that’s the perception.