Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Merced, California |
| Online | ucmerced.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Rural Fringe |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in California's San Joaquin Valley approximately 60 miles north of Fresno, UC Merced opened in 2005 as the newest addition to the University of California system. The 7,000-acre campus features modern architectural design with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, including LEED-certified buildings throughout its footprint in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The university operates as a selective public research institution, with notable strengths in environmental science, engineering, and biological sciences. UC Merced maintains a residential campus culture with required on-campus housing for first-year students and serves a significant population of first-generation college students. The campus continues to expand through its 2020 Project, which has added new academic buildings, student housing, and research facilities to accommodate growing enrollment.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UC Merced is rated within the lower 49% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of California Merced within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#605 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#195 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#42 in Best Colleges in California
#14 in Best Public Colleges in California
#268 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 960/1140 |
| ACT | 19/24 |
| GPA | 3.55 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,094 |
| Other Fees | $2,227 |
| Room and Board | $19,340 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,682 |
| Total One Year Cost | $38,907 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,094 |
| Other Fees | $2,227 |
| Room and Board | $19,340 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,682 |
| Total One Year Cost | $68,979 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 22% |
| Biology | 21% |
| Engineering | 14% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Business | 12% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of California Merced.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=445188 IPEDS survey data for University of California Merced.
Current students may use the University of California Merced GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024