B+
Very Good
Score: 72/100

University of California-Merced

4-Year Public
📍 Merced, California 95343
🌐 ucmerced.edu/
Outcomes
B+
79/100
Affordability
B
68/100
Resources
C+
60/100
Experience
A+
95/100
Prestige
B
63/100

Quick Stats

9,147
Total Enrollment
69%
Graduation Rate
83%
Retention Rate
21.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
39%
Acceptance Rate
$13,232
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near University of California-Merced ▼

9% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 777 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$0

🏆 Where University of California-Merced Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#16
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other
of 88 schools
#16
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
of 36 schools
#18
Applied Mathematics, General
of 33 schools
#19
Cognitive Science, General
of 24 schools
#26
Computer Engineering, General
of 100 schools
#29
Public Health, General
of 100 schools
#30
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
of 100 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $11,834 $42,611
Total Cost (On-Campus) $40,685 $71,462

Financial Aid

85%
Receive Any Aid
55%
Receive Pell Grants
31%
Take Out Loans
$13,232
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$8,572
$30,001 - $48,000$9,581
$48,001 - $75,000$11,594
$75,001 - $110,000$17,323
$110,001+$30,561

Student Demographics

9,147
Total Students
47%
Women
93%
Traditional Age (18-24)
9%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 10%
Hispanic 55%
Black 5%
Asian 22%
Two or More 4%
Non-Resident 4%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 81%
Off-Campus (Renters) 9%
With Family 11%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~777 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 90%
Hybrid (Some Online) 10%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 93%
25-64 (Adult) 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced has an acceptance rate of 39%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend University of California-Merced?
Tuition at University of California-Merced is $11,834 for in-state students and $42,611 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $13,232.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Merced?
The graduation rate at University of California-Merced is 69%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is University of California-Merced a good school?
University of California-Merced has a Repit College Score of 72/100 (Grade: B+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (B): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced has a total enrollment of 9,147 students. Most students (93%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near University of California-Merced?
Yes! Approximately 9% of students at University of California-Merced live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 777 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for University of California-Merced — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to University of California-Merced

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

B
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B
University of California-Santa Cruz
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B+
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B
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A
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B
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology