University of California-Merced prices its degrees with meaningful differentiation across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,945 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $11,557, and higher-income families pay closer to $28,734.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $39,665 |
| Tuition and Fees | $49,823 |
| Room and Board | $21,445 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,046 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$27,682 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $11,983 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,945 |
| $30–48k | $8,465 |
| $48–75k | $11,557 |
| $75–110k | $14,828 |
| $110k+ | $28,734 |
University of California-Merced prices its degrees with meaningful differentiation across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,945 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $11,557, and higher-income families pay closer to $28,734. Azimuth ranks University of California-Merced #123 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. That positioning reflects UC Merced's public-tuition structure and its relatively strong need-based aid reach for a young research university. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. For a fuller picture of how sticker price and net price diverge, see the net price illusion. UC Merced participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and California's robust Cal Grant program provides meaningful additional support for qualifying in-state students. The university's relatively young endowment means institutional grant depth is more limited than at older flagship campuses, but the combination of federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and UC system aid keeps net prices for low-income families well below the published cost of attendance of $39,665. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,144, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,376; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at University of California-Merced's median four-year earnings of $65,410, median federal debt of $16,144 projects to a monthly payment of about $182 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of California-Merced earn median 4-year earnings of $65,410, placing University of California-Merced in the 70.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $20,891 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 96.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of California-Merced #394 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major. Biology, General reports 316 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $59,249, ranked #89 nationally in its major. Computer Engineering reports 219 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $102,575, ranked #38 nationally in its major. Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 188 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $68,277, ranked #135 nationally in its major. Mechanical Engineering reports 184 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $95,040, ranked #51 nationally in its major.
