University of California-Merced

www.ucmerced.edu

Add Comparison

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$11,834

2.33% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$13,232

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

39.2%

67,891 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

9,147

98.8% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

69.1%

1,580 Graduates

About

University of California-Merced is a higher education institution located in Merced County, CA. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at University of California-Merced were Other Research & Experimental Psychology (365 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (308 degrees), and General Computer Engineering (217 degrees).

In 2023, 2,100 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of California-Merced. 53.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 46.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (1,104 degrees), 2.72 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Merced is $11,834, which is $−19,169 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at University of California-Merced was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 6,829 total borrowers.

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Merced is $11,834, which is $19,170 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,232.

In 2023, 85% of undergraduate students attending University of California-Merced received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 31% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$11,834

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at University of California-Merced was $11,834. The cost of tuition at University of California-Merced is $−19,170 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of California-Merced (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,232

2023 Value

2.34%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 University of California-Merced had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,232. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of University of California-Merced grew by 2.34%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$14,543

Room and Board

$1,094

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of California-Merced was of $14,543 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 4.16% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,094. The cost of books and supplies increased by 1.96% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of California-Merced (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

85%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

31%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

85% of undergraduate students at University of California-Merced received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 3.41% with respect to 2022, when 88% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at University of California-Merced was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 6829 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

University of California-Merced received 67,891 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 127% annual growth. Out of those 67,891 applicants, 26,598 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 39.2% acceptance rate.

There were 9,147 students enrolled at University of California-Merced in 2023. 96% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of California-Merced has an overall enrollment yield of 9.08%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

39.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

26,598

Accepted Out of 67,891

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of California-Merced was 39.2% (26,598 admissions from 67,891 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 89.5%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 127%, while admissions declined by 0.628%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

96%

Submission Percentage (2020)

1,874

Scores Submitted (2020)

96% of enrolled first-time students at University of California-Merced in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of California-Merced had a total enrollment of 9,147 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Merced is 9,033 students and the part-time enrollment is 114. This means that 98.8% of students enrolled at University of California-Merced are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of California-Merced, both undergraduate and graduate, is 54.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 10% White, 4.65% Black or African American, 4.34% Two or More Races, 0.251% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.153% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at University of California-Merced in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (30.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (25.9%) and Asian Male (13.6%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (12.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (10.4%) and White Female (10.1%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

98.8%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of California-Merced in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 9,147 students. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Merced is 9,033 and the part-time enrollment is 114. This means that 98.8% of students enrolled at University of California-Merced are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of California-Merced (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

83%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of California-Merced was 83%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), University of California-Merced had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of California-Merced (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

Hispanic or Latino
4,991 enrolled students
Asian
1,946 enrolled students
White
917 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of California-Merced is 54.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 10% White, 4.65% Black or African American, 4.34% Two or More Races, 0.251% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.153% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 109 students (1.19%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 152 more women than men received degrees from University of California-Merced. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino (1,104 degrees awarded). There were 2.72 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at University of California-Merced is Other Research & Experimental Psychology (365 degrees awarded), followed by General Biological Sciences (308 degrees) and General Computer Engineering (217 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of California-Merced, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (486 degrees awarded), Biology (346 degrees), and Physical Sciences (90 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Other managers (743,469 people), Software developers (590,805 people), Physicians (548,905 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (439,847 people), and Postsecondary teachers (401,282 people).

The most specialized majors at University of California-Merced in 2023 are Engineering (486 degrees awarded), Biology (346 degrees), Physical Sciences (90 degrees), Psychology (377 degrees), and Social Sciences (263 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Engineering (486 degrees awarded), Biology (346 degrees), Physical Sciences (90 degrees), Psychology (377 degrees), and Social Sciences (263 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (882,649 people), Elementary & secondary schools (831,766 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (830,633 people), Computer Systems Design (735,651 people), and Architectural, engineering & related services (531,652 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of California-Merced.

Most Common (2023)

Other Research & Experimental Psychology
365 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
308 degrees awarded
General Computer Engineering
217 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of California-Merced was Other Research & Experimental Psychology with 365 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of California-Merced according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

974

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

1,126

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 974 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced, which is 0.865 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,126).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of California-Merced by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 184 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced in General Computer Engineering, which is 5.58 times more than the 33 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 297 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced in Other Research & Experimental Psychology, which is 3.71 times more than the 80 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

48%

100% Completion Time

72%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 48% of students graduating from University of California-Merced completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 72% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 73% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (85.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at University of California-Merced is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (85.7% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.823% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

Hispanic or Latino
1,104 degrees awarded
Asian
406 degrees awarded
White
199 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino (1,104 degrees awarded). There were 2.72 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

1.24% of degree recipients (26 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

Hispanic or Latino Female
621 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Male
483 degrees awarded
Asian Male
211 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino female (621 degrees awarded). There were 1.29 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino male (483 degrees).

Operations

University of California-Merced employs 143 Lecturers, 104 Professors and 96 Assistant professors. Most academics at University of California-Merced are Male Lecturer (72), Female Lecturer (71), and Male Professor (61).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Merced are: Business and Financial Operations, with 265 employees, Service, with 217 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 211 employees.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$20.8M - Federal
$43.7M - State
$3.11M - Local

As of 2023, University of California-Merced received $20.8M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $43.7M from state grants and contracts, and $3.11M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$199M

2023 Salaries

7.22%

growth from 2022

In 2023, University of California-Merced paid a median of $199M in salaries, a 7.22% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 6.97% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 1.53% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$54.2M

Instructional Salaries

428

Number of Employees

In 2023, University of California-Merced paid a total of $54.2M to 428 employees working as instructors, which represents 27.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Lecturer

Most Common Instructor

143 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

265 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at University of California-Merced were Lecturer with 143 employees, Professor with 104 employees, and Assistant professor with 96 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Merced were Business and Financial Operations with 265 employees, Service with 217 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 211 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Lecturer
Female Lecturer
Male Professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at University of California-Merced was Male Lecturer with 72 employees, Female Lecturer with 71 employees, and Male Professor with 61 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at University of California-Merced.

Keep Exploring

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

University

Boise State University

University

Rutgers University-Newark

University

Cardinal Stritch University

University

Immaculata University

University