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.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. UC Merced's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 59% of students receive Pell Grants; 31% take federal loans.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $8,572 | $34,288 |
| $30K – $48K | $9,581 | $38,324 |
| $48K – $75K | $11,594 | $46,376 |
| $75K – $110K | $17,323 | $69,292 |
| $110K+ | $30,561 | $122,244 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $14,167 | $56,668 |
Programs at UC Merced
16 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr 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 Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools → |
64
|
$57,223/yr | High | 14.7x |
|
Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools → |
64
|
$46,378/yr | High | 9.8x |
| Chemistry Compare across schools → |
62
|
$50,944/yr | High | 10.3x |
|
Environmental Engineering
Environmental/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
Biology, General Compare across schools → |
48
|
$36,140/yr | High | 10.9x |
|
Political Science
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
Psychology, General Compare across schools → |
35
|
$28,669/yr | High | 8.3x |
| History Compare across schools → |
32
|
$26,103/yr | High | 3.6x |
|
English
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools → |
27
|
$29,152/yr | Very High | 4.1x |
More Colleges in California
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in California, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.