University of California-Merced is a public 4-year college in Merced, California with 8,372 undergraduates. It admits 91% of applicants, costs an average of $11,583 a year after grants and graduates 68% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
University of California-Merced acceptance rate and admissions
University of California-Merced admitted 91% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
University of California-Merced tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $16,271 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $53,873 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $22,594 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $41,008 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $11,583 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $11,583 a year after grants and scholarships, $29,425 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run University of California-Merced's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
University of California-Merced graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 68% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $69,352 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $13,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 19% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
University of California-Merced majors and what graduates earn
University of California-Merced awarded bachelor's degrees in 27 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer engineering ($102,575).
All 27 majors at University of California-Merced
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer engineering | 184 | $59,271 | $102,575 | $13,536 |
| Mechanical engineering | 139 | $71,516 | $95,040 | $12,757 |
| Biomedical engineering | 30 | $62,842 | $88,795 | $15,000 |
| Environmental engineering | 18 | $62,389 | $83,007 | n/a |
| Applied mathematics | 28 | $40,931 | $82,156 | $11,074 |
| Business administration | 0 | $47,776 | $68,277 | $11,000 |
| Economics | 17 | $41,777 | $67,692 | $13,375 |
| Political science | 59 | $37,624 | $62,815 | $12,515 |
| Biology | 287 | $41,737 | $59,249 | $13,500 |
| English | 29 | $26,657 | $58,623 | $13,716 |
| Chemistry | 19 | $56,039 | $56,888 | $11,125 |
| Public health | 98 | $37,465 | $56,393 | $15,000 |
| Cognitive Science | 43 | $41,042 | $51,147 | $13,500 |
| Sociology | 85 | $40,165 | $50,468 | $12,898 |
| History | 25 | $33,904 | $44,144 | $16,181 |
| Research and experimental psychology | 364 | $37,877 | n/a | $11,218 |
| Business analytics and operations research | 177 | n/a | n/a | $12,302 |
| Geology and earth sciences | 16 | $42,238 | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 15 | $46,988 | n/a | n/a |
| Art and design, general | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Anthropology | 12 | $27,746 | n/a | n/a |
| Materials Engineering | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Civil engineering | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Linguistics | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at University of California-Merced
33 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 33 graduate programs
Students and location
- 8,372 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 45% women, 55% men
- 20 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize suburb
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced admitted 91% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does University of California-Merced cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $16,271 for in-state students and $53,873 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $11,583 a year in 2024-25.
Is University of California-Merced test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, University of California-Merced reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Merced?
68% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do University of California-Merced graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $69,352 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in California · University of California-Merced on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.