University of California-Merced
#8 Best Engineering Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,368 A-
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $11,983 B-
- 30% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 39.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.4 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Engineering Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $39.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,839,893.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 58% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $39.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of California-Merced Matters
University of California-Merced is a public research university in Merced, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and low net price paired with solid completion. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 8,372
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing
Why students choose University of California-Merced
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
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,983 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,368 ten years after enrolling — 58% above the typical college, against $16,144 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.56 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 91%, the University of California-Merced is an inviting option for students who may be looking for a supportive environment to explore their interests. This school stands out for its strong programs in Engineering, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, and Social Sciences. If you're drawn to any of these fields, UC Merced could be a great fit, especially considering its dynamic campus community and growing reputation.
Looking ahead, graduates from UC Merced can expect to earn about $64,368 within ten years of finishing their degree. This figure suggests that students are able to secure solid jobs after graduation, which can be particularly important for those who are mindful of their financial futures. The school’s affordability is also a key factor, with a net price of $11,983 after aid, making it accessible for many students, especially considering that 59% of the student body receives Pell Grants.
In practical terms, students here tend to thrive when they actively engage with the community and take advantage of the resources available. With a median debt of $16,144, the financial burden remains relatively manageable for most graduates. This balance of affordability and supportive environment makes UC Merced a viable choice for those seeking a college experience that prepares them for the workforce while keeping costs in check.
Rankings
- #8 Best Engineering Colleges in California
- #19 Best Psychology Colleges in California
- #22 Best Biology Colleges in California
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges for Physical Sciences
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges for Environmental Science
- #29 Best Bachelor's Programs in California
- #29 Best Master's Programs in California
- #31 Best MBA Programs in California
Can I Get In?
How selective University of California-Merced 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 University of California-Merced? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of California-Merced, located in Merced, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 93%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,834
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 57%
- Applicants
- 29,920
- Admitted
- 26,766
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 University of California-Merced? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of California-Merced is $49,823, 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 $11,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,144 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,623
- Out-of-State
- $49,823
- Avg Net Price
- $11,983
- Median Debt
- $16,144
- Pell Grant Rate
- 59%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,945
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,465
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,557
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,734
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of California-Merced Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of California-Merced earn a median of $64,368, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,475
- 8 Years
- $56,207
- 10 Years
- $64,368
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (690)
- 45%
- 100% (690)
- 45%
- 100% (690)
- 45%
- 100% (690)
- 45%
How University 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 University of California-Merced Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of California-Merced delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,983/year ($47,932 total). Graduates earn $64,368 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,887,825 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,839,893 (39.4× your investment). The median debt is $16,144, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $47,932
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,887,825
- Net Return
- $1,839,893
- ROI Multiple
- 39.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,983
- Median Debt
- $16,144
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $1,637,000
Top Programs
The fields University of California-Merced awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Engineering 23%
- Psychology 19%
- Biology & Biomedical 17%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Social Sciences 11%
- Health Professions 6%
- Physical Sciences 4%
- Mathematics & Statistics 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of California-Merced'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
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of California-Merced? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of California-Merced, located in Merced, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of California-Merced? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of California-Merced is $49,823, 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 $11,983. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $16,144 in federal student loans.
Is University of California-Merced Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of California-Merced earn a median of $64,368, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of California-Merced? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of California-Merced. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of California-Merced.
- North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND · Close peer64% grad $62,203 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-ChicoChico, CA · Close peer63% grad $64,172 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA · Close peer59% grad $65,986 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · Close peer65% grad $62,616 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA · Close peer56% grad $63,188 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · Close peer68% grad $55,177 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of California-Merced? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of California-Merced. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note