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Public · Merced, California

University of California-Merced

Suburban campus · 8,372 undergraduates · 20 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
91%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$11,983
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
69%
Kolligian Library, one of the first buildings built on campus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is University of California-Merced a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What University of California-Merced costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$7,945
$30,001 – $48,000
$8,465
$48,001 – $75,000
$11,557
$75,001 – $110,000
$14,828
Over $110,000
$28,734

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state with any WUE discount applied, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$39,665
Tuition, in-state
$15,623
Tuition, out-of-state
$49,823
First-years given a grant by the school
84%
Average grant from the school
$12,518
Median debt at graduation
$16,144
The school's own net price calculator
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Western Undergraduate Exchange. Students from 17 other member states may pay a reduced rate here, at most 150% of in-state tuition. Each school sets its own WUE rules: some require a minimum GPA, exclude majors, or limit awards. Details ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate
91%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
83%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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University of California-Merced athletics

NAIA, 6 women's and 6 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Basketball1720
Cross country1113
Soccer2432
Track & field1925
Volleyball1420
Water polo1722

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NAIA school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Engineering
23%
Psychology
19%
Biological & biomedical sciences
17%
Business & marketing
11%
Social sciences
11%
Health professions
6%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
83%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$64,368
Median debt at graduation
$16,144
Students with a Pell grant
59%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.