UC Merced Rankings and Evaluation
National Universities
#453 in National Universities
California Colleges
#93 in California Colleges
University of California-Merced is ranked 453rd in National Universities and 93rd in California Colleges.
The following statements evaluate University of California-Merced by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
- Its tuition & fees of $46,541 is very expensive compared to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (91%) is much higher (very easy to get in).
- It has very small number of students of 9,110.
- The financial aid amount ($24,780) is higher.
- It offers fewer area of study (76 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of UC Merced are $46,541 (out-of-state rate) and it is very expensive compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced $46,541
All U.S. Colleges $17,692
Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895
4-Years Colleges $22,926
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California $20,072
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of UC Merced are $29,855 (out-of-state rate) and it is expensive compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced $29,855
All U.S. Colleges $18,842
Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343
4-Years Colleges $18,848
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California $21,760
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of UC Merced is 91% and it is much higher (very easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 91%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%
4-Years Colleges 68%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 58%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of UC Merced is 7% and the yield is much lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 7%
All U.S. Colleges 37%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%
4-Years Colleges 35%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 20%
Graduation Rate
The average graduation rate at UC Merced is 69% and it is extremely higher (most students completed in-time) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 69%
All U.S. Colleges 56%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%
4-Years Colleges 51%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 54%
Transfer-out Rate
The average transfer-out rate at UC Merced is 11% and it is extremely higher (many students transferred-out) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 11%
All U.S. Colleges 21%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 23%
4-Years Colleges 24%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 8%
Retention Rate
The average retention rate at UC Merced is 82% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 82%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%
4-Years Colleges 73%
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 85%
Student Population
The total student population at UC Merced is 9,110 and its population very small compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 9,110
All U.S. Colleges 2,931
Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396
4-Years Colleges 4,686
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 20,004
Financial Aid Amount
The average amount of financial aid received at UC Merced is $24,780 which is 53.24% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is higher compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced $24,780
All U.S. Colleges $7,676
Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301
4-Years Colleges $12,161
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California $9,399
Student to Faculty Ratio
The students to faculty ratio at UC Merced is 20 to 1 and the ratio is lower (small size classes) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of California-Merced 20 to 1
All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges 17 to 1
4-Years Colleges 14 to 1
Public, 4-Years Colleges in California 24 to 1
Number of Programs
UC Merced offers 76 programs and it means fewer area of study compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California.
