University Of California-Merced

University of California, Merced admits 39.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive offers of admission. This places UC Merced in the selective admission category, significantly more competitive than the peer median admission rate of 84.6%.

The university's selectivity reflects its position within the UC system while maintaining greater accessibility than flagship campuses. With this admission rate, many qualified students will receive offers, but applicants should not assume admission is guaranteed.

The university's 8.3% yield rate indicates that admitted students often have multiple options and choose among several institutions. For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests the importance of presenting strong academic credentials while recognizing that admission decisions consider multiple factors beyond test scores and grades.

Students should approach UC Merced as a competitive option requiring serious preparation, particularly given the university's growth in reputation and academic quality since its founding. Building a comprehensive college list that includes schools with varying admission rates represents sound application strategy, as even well-qualified applicants may face uncertainty in the admission process.

University of California, Merced publishes a cost of attendance of $37,098 per year, comprising $14,167 in in-state tuition, $20,293 for room and board, and $1,214 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $44,944, significantly increasing total costs.

However, the average student pays just $12,744 after financial aid, representing savings of $24,354 from the published price. This 66% reduction from sticker price reflects the university's commitment to affordability and extensive financial aid programs.

The net price compares favorably to the peer median of $14,093, saving students $1,349 annually compared to similar institutions. UC Merced's financial aid strategy effectively makes higher education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds, with aid packages scaling significantly based on family income.

The substantial gap between published and actual costs demonstrates the importance of applying for financial aid and not being deterred by sticker prices, as most students receive meaningful financial assistance.

UC Merced graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $48,475 six years after enrollment to $56,207 at eight years and $64,368 at ten years. This represents 32.8% growth from the six-year mark to the ten-year measurement, indicating strong career progression as graduates advance in their fields.

These outcomes are based on cohorts of more than 1,600 graduates across multiple years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. The university generates $16,502 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UC Merced at the 92.3rd percentile for value-added performance.

Graduates earn significantly more than peers at similar institutions, outperforming the peer median by $14,252 annually. Earnings span from $42,064 at the 25th percentile to $95,770 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and different post-graduation career paths.

Approximately 24.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the university prepares students effectively for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

University of California, Merced offers 13 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering ranks #29 nationally and #8 in California, graduating 34 students with median earnings of $82,725 and a value score of 71.7.

Computer Engineering ranks #51 nationally and #14 in California, producing 134 graduates with median earnings of $80,693. Biology, General ranks #36 nationally and #10 in California, graduating 287 students with median earnings of $52,891 and the highest value score of 90.5.

Psychology represents the university's second-largest program with 241 graduates earning $43,278, while Business Administration graduates 178 students earning $55,183. Cognitive Science ranks #10 nationally and #6 in California, reflecting the university's strength in interdisciplinary programs.

Applied Mathematics ranks #23 nationally with graduates earning $65,623, while Analytical Chemistry ranks #43 nationally with graduates earning $56,584.