University of California-Merced
University of California-Merced — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of California-Merced at a Glance
The University of California, Merced is a public land-grant research university in Merced County, California, United States. Established in 2005, UC Merced is the tenth and newest campus in the University of California (UC) system. The main campus is around 810 acres in size and located around 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the city of Merced and sits adjacent to Lake Yosemite. The campus is adjacent to large swaths of protected natural grasslands and vernal pools, which have shaped its development, …
2005
21 years old
$33M
$32.9 million (2024)
9,110
8,372 undergrad · 738 grad
463
1,026 acres
Identity
Is University of California-Merced Worth It?
University of California-Merced is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $11,983/year net price and $64,368 median earnings, graduates earn 5.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: University of California-Merced delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of California-Merced compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #8 of 115 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #6 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 100 | $10,163 | $78,466 |
| #8 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of California-Merced's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in CA.
Best Programs at University of California-Merced
The highest-earning program at University of California-Merced is Computer Engineering at $47,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Chemistry at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from University of California-Merced earns $47,500, while a Chemistry graduate earns $22,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $19,000 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Chemistry.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,983/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $47,500 | $47,500 | $19,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $44,300 | $44,300 | $23,500 |
| Economics | $40,300 | $40,300 | $18,416 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,700 | $37,700 | $19,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | $37,500 | $37,500 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $19,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,600 | $29,600 | $19,750 |
| Cognitive Science | $27,000 | $27,000 | $19,923 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $18,125 |
| Sociology | $24,900 | $24,900 | $18,481 |
| Chemistry | $22,700 | $22,700 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Merced, CA
- Student Body
- 8,372 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,983
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,368
- Median Student Debt
- $16,144