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University of California-Merced

UC Merced

Merced, California 95343-5603

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedSuburbanGreek life

Known for engineering — excellent value

University of California-Merced is a public institution in Merced with particular strength in engineering and psychology.

A mid-sized campus of 8.4K undergraduates with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $64,368 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,744.

Established
2005
Motto
Fiat lux
Mascot
Rufus the Bobcat
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

39%Acceptance
SAT Avg
8,372Students
21:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$64,368Earnings 10yr
$12,744Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate39.2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,167
Tuition (out-of-state)$44,944
Room & Board$20,293
Books & Supplies$1,214
Total Cost of Attendance$37,098
Average Net Price$12,744
Median Debt at Graduation$16,144
Monthly Payment (10yr)$171

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,572
$30–48K$9,581
$48–75K$11,594
$75–110K$17,323
$110K+$30,561

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

69.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$12,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

61

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

14

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

5

Motor Vehicle Theft

7

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

17

Drug Arrests

13

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (65)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
8,372
Gender Split
47% / 53%
Women / Men
First Generation
57%
Pell Grant Recipients
59%

Race & Ethnicity

White 9%
Black 5%
Hispanic 58%
Asian 22%
Two+ 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.2%
Freshman Retention83.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,475
10 Years$64,368

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#58
vs 2024
Forbes
#173
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#72
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • On May 19, 1988, the UC Regents voted to move forward with a plan to establish a new campus in this region.
  • In 1989, the Regents further authorized then UC President David P.
  • By 1992, the field was narrowed once more, this time to three final contenders: Fresno, Madera, and Merced.
  • In April 1997, the City of Merced expanded its sphere of influence to incorporate the SUDP area and agreed to collaborate closely with Merced County to facilitate the project's advancement.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Franciscopop. 870K
113 mi(196 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
260 mi(451 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
371 mi(643 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SJC San Jose83 mi
SFO San Francisco109 mi
SMF Sacramento112 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2604 mi · ~75h 14m drive
New York, NY2473 mi · ~71h 27m drive
Hartford, CT2529 mi · ~73h 4m drive
Providence, RI2592 mi · ~74h 53m drive
Albany, NY2465 mi · ~71h 13m drive
Syracuse, NY2342 mi · ~67h 39m drive
Rochester, NY2267 mi · ~65h 29m drive
Buffalo, NY2205 mi · ~63h 42m drive
Philadelphia, PA2422 mi · ~69h 58m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2165 mi · ~62h 33m drive
Harrisburg, PA2329 mi · ~67h 17m drive
Newark, NJ2464 mi · ~71h 11m drive
Washington, DC2338 mi · ~67h 33m drive
Baltimore, MD2355 mi · ~68h 2m drive
Atlanta, GA2029 mi · ~58h 37m drive
Charlotte, NC2193 mi · ~63h 21m drive
Raleigh, NC2302 mi · ~66h 30m drive
Miami, FL2479 mi · ~71h 37m drive
Orlando, FL2327 mi · ~67h 13m drive
Tampa, FL2285 mi · ~66h 1m drive
Nashville, TN1854 mi · ~53h 34m drive
New Orleans, LA1810 mi · ~52h 17m drive
Richmond, VA2337 mi · ~67h 31m drive
Chicago, IL1762 mi · ~50h 54m drive
Detroit, MI1996 mi · ~57h 40m drive
Minneapolis, MN1499 mi · ~43h 18m drive
St. Louis, MO1641 mi · ~47h 24m drive
Kansas City, MO1403 mi · ~40h 32m drive
Indianapolis, IN1847 mi · ~53h 21m drive
Columbus, OH2012 mi · ~58h 7m drive
Cleveland, OH2069 mi · ~59h 46m drive
Milwaukee, WI1749 mi · ~50h 32m drive
Dallas, TX1369 mi · ~39h 33m drive
Houston, TX1530 mi · ~44h 12m drive
Austin, TX1387 mi · ~40h 4m drive
San Antonio, TX1375 mi · ~39h 43m drive
Los Angeles, CA260 mi · ~7h 31m drive
San Francisco, CA113 mi · ~3h 16m drive
San Diego, CA371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Seattle, WA714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Portland, OR575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
Denver, CO849 mi · ~24h 32m drive
Phoenix, AZ542 mi · ~15h 39m drive
Salt Lake City, UT514 mi · ~14h 51m drive
Honolulu, HI2491 mi · ~71h 58m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

University of California-Merced Application Checklist

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