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University of California-Merced
University of California-Merced
UC Merced's campus is set on over 1,000 acres near Lake Yosemite, a few miles north of the city of Merced. The campus is notable for its integration with the surrounding natural grasslands and vernal pools, influencing both its design and research focus. As the newest UC campus, it fosters a developing student culture with an emphasis on research opportunities across its undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's location in the Central Valley provides a unique perspective on environmental and agricultural issues.
Avg Grad Earnings
$42,071/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
52/100
Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$14,167/yr
Out-of-state: $44,944/yr
Financial Aid & Net Price
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 59% of students receive Pell Grants and 31% take federal loans.
| Family Income |
Avg Net Price/yr |
4-Year Net Cost |
Net-Price ROI |
| $0 – $30K |
$8,572 |
$34,288 |
12.3x |
| $30K – $48K |
$9,581 |
$38,324 |
11.0x |
| $48K – $75K |
$11,594 |
$46,376 |
9.1x |
| $75K – $110K |
$17,323 |
$69,292 |
6.1x |
| $110K+ |
$30,561 |
$122,244 |
3.4x |
| Sticker price (no aid) |
$14,167 |
$56,668 |
7.4x |
Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.
All Programs at University of California-Merced
16 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Program |
DW Score |
Earnings |
AI Risk |
ROI |
Computer Engineering
Compare across schools |
79 |
$58,835/yr |
Very High |
17.0x |
Mechanical Engineering
Compare across schools |
69 |
$67,096/yr |
Very High |
14.0x |
Economics
Compare across schools |
69 |
$51,212/yr |
Very High |
11.6x |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Compare across schools |
64 |
$57,223/yr |
High |
14.7x |
Business Administration
Compare across schools |
64 |
$46,378/yr |
High |
9.8x |
Chemistry
Compare across schools |
62 |
$50,944/yr |
High |
10.3x |
Environmental Health Engineering
Compare across schools |
59 |
$47,028/yr |
Very High |
13.7x |
Applied Mathematics
Compare across schools |
55 |
$39,138/yr |
Very High |
13.0x |
Biology, General
Compare across schools |
48 |
$36,140/yr |
High |
10.9x |
Political Science and Government
Compare across schools |
42 |
$29,153/yr |
Very High |
9.4x |
Public Health
Compare across schools |
41 |
$36,555/yr |
High |
5.5x |
Sociology
Compare across schools |
40 |
$37,092/yr |
High |
7.7x |
Cognitive Science
Compare across schools |
39 |
$32,419/yr |
Moderate |
9.1x |
Psychology, General
Compare across schools |
35 |
$28,669/yr |
High |
8.3x |
History
Compare across schools |
32 |
$26,103/yr |
High |
3.6x |
English Language and Literature, General
Compare across schools |
27 |
$29,152/yr |
Very High |
4.1x |
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →