Top Colleges

  • University Of Maryland Global Campus
  • Liberty University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Western Governors University
  • University Of Phoenix
  • View All Online Colleges

Degree Types

  • Associates
  • Bachelors
  • Masters
  • International Students
  • View all Online Degrees

Lifestyle

  • Career Advancement
  • Working Professional
  • Best Return on Education

Top Majors

  • Nursing
  • Cyber Security
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Finance
  • View all Majors

Studying Abroad

  • U.S. Students Studying Abroad
  • 2025 Study Abroad Costs
  • Applying To College Abroad
  • Advice & Preparation
  • Getting A Student Visa
  • View all international content

Studying in U.S.

  • Guide To Studying In The USA
  • Getting A Student Visa
  • International Scholarships
Colleges
🎓
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
Scholarships
💰
STEM Excellence Scholarship$$5,000
Majors
📘
Computer Science
Browse Colleges
Browse Colleges

Colleges

  • Boston College
  • PSU
  • International Students
  • Online Degrees
  • Majors
  • Degrees

Tools & Guides

  • How to Apply to College
  • How to Write Scholarship Essays
  • How to Calculate College Costs

Resources

  • Blog
  • Plan for College
  • Pay for College

Company & Legal

  • About
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • AI Disclosure

© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.

University of California-Merced

Public
Merced, CA
Suburb
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. University of California-Merced

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$14k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$54k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
The University of California-Merced is a public university in Merced, California, founded in 2005. It is known for its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, featuring one of the most environmentally friendly campuses in the UC system. The university is recognized for its diverse student population and for offering unique research opportunities in partnership with nearby national parks.

Pros

  • Strong emphasis on research opportunities

  • Diverse and inclusive campus environment

  • Modern facilities and new infrastructure

  • Growing academic reputation

Cons

  • Limited course offerings compared to established universities

  • Less visibility and recognition nationally

  • Higher cost of living in California

  • Still developing social and extracurricular activities

Tuition and Costs

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at University of California-Merced: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at University of California-Merced. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$14,167$56,668
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$20,293$81,172
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at University of California-Merced
 
$1,214$4,856
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at University of California-Merced) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$5,011$22,372
Sticker Price$40,685$165,068

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $462 per year over the next three years, reaching $16,009 in 2024, and $16,470 in 2025, and $16,932 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

University of California-Merced admissions is not very selective with an acceptance rate of 89%. Typically, admitted students score between 0-0 on the SAT or - on the ACT. The application deadline can be found the the institutions website.

89%Admission Rate
69%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range -
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Engineering⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Computer EngineeringN/A$0k
Mechanical EngineeringN/A$0k
Material EngineeringN/A$0k
History⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Political ScienceN/A$0k
Physics⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Physical SceincesN/A$0k

Student Life

Key information regarding University of California-Merced's total enrollment and faculty.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,416
Full-time Students2,397
Part-time Students19

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:19:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about University of California-Merced. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

No reviews available.

Other Colleges

Fremont University

CA
Explore further

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

CA
Explore further

Homestead Schools

CA
Explore further

Laurus College

CA
Explore further

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
858
University of California-Merced is distinguished by a high ROEdu, suggesting graduates enjoy considerable financial and professional rewards that surpass the costs of their education.