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Economic score
University of California, Merced is a public national university located in Merced, California. UC Merced is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at UC Merced is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $61,148 10 years after enrolling, 36th in California, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, UC Merced bachelor students earn 8% less than the national average. UC Merced is ranked 31st in California.
University of California, Merced’s median net annual cost of $13,691 and average years to graduate of 4.7 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at UC Merced sorted by number of graduates - Biology, Psychology, Business Administration, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$13,691
Average years to graduate
4.7
Economics
Rank: #76
Economic score: 2.05
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Rank: #68
Economic score: 3
Environmental Engineering
Rank: #32
Economic score: 3.41
Applied Mathematics
Rank: #31
Economic score: 3.67
Chemistry
Rank: #84
Economic score: 3.8
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #217
Economic score: 4.97
Cognitive Science
Rank: #9
Economic score: 5.06
Sociology
Rank: #212
Economic score: 6.88
History
Rank: #308
Economic score: 13.06
Anthropology
Rank: #137
Economic score: 52.21
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.7 years. 71% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at UC Merced is 4% higher than the state average, and 4% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At UC Merced, Pell Grant recipients represent 63% of the measured graduating class, 28% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at UC Merced graduates within 4.7 years.
UC Merced is in the top 5% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
University of California, Merced’s economic mobility score of 54.9 is calculated by adjusting the 1.33 economic score of lower-income students by the 63% pell grant recipients within the student body. UC Merced’s EMS of 54.9 ranks in the top 5% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 5%
The average Title IV recipient at University of California, Merced pays $13,691 a year, $23,009 less than the $36,700 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $13,691
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At UC Merced, 92% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $13,691 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 19% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $4,385. This is 35% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,470
Pell grants
$5,724
State grants
$10,765
Institutional grants
$11,000
University of California, Merced's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 87% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 27,793 applicants, of which 24,068 were admitted and 2,410 enrolled. UC Merced doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
54%
59%
First time
93%
59%
In-state
100%
68%
1st generation
57%
35%
White
8%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
58%
15%
Asian
18%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
1%
0.3%
Other
11%
12%