University of California Merced campus

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UC Merced Admission Requirements

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Merced, CA
  • 3.0 1 review
#15 Best Public Universities in California
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UC Merced Admission Overview

UC Merced admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UC Merced admitted 90.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.55 GPA (A-). UC Merced is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Merced Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

90.5%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of California Merced

Acceptance Rate

The UC Merced acceptance rate is 90.5%. Last year, 28,906 of 31,928 applicants were admitted. That is the 82nd lowest acceptance rate in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Merced and can you get accepted?

UC Merced is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of California Merced typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.55. 7% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Merced GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.55

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.55

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UC Merced typically have around a 3.55 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. UC Merced is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

The school ranks #48 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of California Merced freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 17.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 14.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 24.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 22.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.2% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UC Merced Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Merced does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Merced SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

960-1140

Freshmen who sent SAT

94%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 480
  • Math 480
  • Composite 960
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of California Merced

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 570
  • Math 570
  • Composite 1140
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of California Merced

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UC Merced typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 960–1140) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. UC Merced ranks #56 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 960 to 1140

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Merced ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

51%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 16
  • Math 17
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of California Merced

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 21
  • Math 22
  • Composite 24
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of California Merced

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UC Merced typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 19–24) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UC Merced places #49 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UC Merced chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of California Merced admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 16,028 15,900 31,928
Accepted 14,620 14,286 28,906
Acceptance Rate 91% 90% 91%
Enrolled 892 1,201 2,093
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 6% 8% 7%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Merced and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Merced application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2026

Days left to Apply

91

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Merced is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of California Merced
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UC Merced is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 90.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.55 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of California Merced often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=445188.

GPA calculator: University of California Merced GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026