University of California-Merced
University of California-Merced is a public institution located in Merced, CA, offering 33 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. University of California-Merced provides students with educational opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $14,167
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,744 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 39.18% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,372 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 69.15%
Costs
Tuition Costs
$14,167
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of California-Merced was $14,167.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,744
2024 Value
In 2024 University of California-Merced had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,744.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$50,976 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,744 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$56,668 4-Year In-State Tuition
$179,776 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for University of California-Merced.
Financial Aid by Income Level
59.01% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
31.45% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of California-Merced was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
39.18% Acceptance Rate
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of California-Merced in 2024 is 8,372 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
48.62% 100% Completion Time
69.15% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 48.62% of students graduating from University of California-Merced completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of California-Merced.
Return on Investment
$16,144 Median Student Debt
$64,368 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
25.08% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1162.71% Return on Investment
2.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of California-Merced.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
CIP 42.2799: 379 completions
General Biological Sciences: 287 completions
Business Administration and Management, Other: 190 completions
CIP 14.0901: 184 completions
Mechanical Engineering: 152 completions
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs: 104 completions
Sociology: 89 completions
Social Sciences: 63 completions
CIP 30.2501: 50 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 1,905 completions
Most popular programs at University of California-Merced.
Employment Outcomes
$48,475 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$56,207 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$64,368 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for University of California-Merced graduates.
About
University of California-Merced is a public institution located in Merced, CA, offering 33 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 8,372 students. It is selective, with an admission rate of 39.18%. The institution maintains a 69.15% graduation rate. Approximately 59.01% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
Location
Merced, CA 95343-5603
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
University of California-Merced provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.