Merced College
- Graduation Rate
- 32% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $37,815 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $5,040 A
- 71% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 10,001
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 47.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $47.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $47.1 over 20 years. Net gain: $928,672.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 32% — 44% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $47.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Merced College
Merced College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 10,001
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Psychology, Social Sciences
Why students choose Merced College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $5,040 a year after grants and scholarships — 71% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,815 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.88 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Merced College serves over 10,000 students, making it a substantial option for those seeking a community college experience in California. With a net price of just $5,040, it stands out as an affordable choice for students looking to manage their education costs while pursuing their degrees.
The earnings of graduates ten years after enrollment average $37,815. This figure suggests a solid return on investment, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds, as 38% of the student body receives Pell Grants. While the graduation rate sits at 32%, the college’s focus on key programs like Humanities, Health Professions, and Psychology may help students find their paths and enhance their earning potential.
Students who thrive at Merced College often appreciate a supportive environment that emphasizes practical skills and community engagement. With a diverse range of programs in demand, graduates can enter a variety of fields, which may lead to a stable career trajectory. The college prioritizes accessibility and affordability, making it a viable option for many students aiming for upward mobility.
Can I Get In?
How selective Merced College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Merced College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Merced College, located in Merced, California, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 36%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,419
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 25:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 59%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Merced College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Merced College is $8,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,155 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $1,200
- Out-of-State
- $8,520
- Avg Net Price
- $5,040
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 1%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,155
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,862
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,562
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,902
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Merced College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Merced College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Merced College report median earnings of $37,815, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,468
- 8 Years
- $34,933
- 10 Years
- $37,815
- Earning > $25K
- 37%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (225)
- 18%
- 100% (225)
- 18%
- 100% (225)
- 18%
- 100% (225)
- 18%
How Merced Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Merced College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Merced College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,040/year ($20,160 total). Graduates earn $37,815 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $948,832 in total earnings — a net gain of $928,672 (47.1× your investment).. With a 32% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $20,160
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $948,832
- Net Return
- $928,672
- ROI Multiple
- 47.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,040
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,831,059
- Investment Income
- $235,146
Top Programs
The fields Merced College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 26%
- Health Professions 15% $106,548 early-career
- Psychology 10% $22,845 early-career
- Social Sciences 9%
- Business & Marketing 9%
- Precision Production 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Criminal Justice 3% $36,820 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Merced College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Merced College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Merced College, located in Merced, California, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Merced College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Merced College is $8,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,155 after need-based grants.
Is Merced College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Merced College report median earnings of $37,815, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Merced College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Merced College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Merced College.
- Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville, KY · Close peer33% grad $38,171 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM · Close peer30% grad $36,869 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria, CA · Close peer27% grad $42,786 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar net price · same state
- Chattahoochee Technical CollegeMarietta, GA · Close peer39% grad $37,138 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington, KY · Close peer40% grad $36,343 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland, OH · Close peer30% grad $35,654 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Merced College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Merced College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note