University of California-Merced

www.ucmerced.edu

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$11,442

8.97% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$11,586

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.861%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

86.6%

27,793 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

9,093

98.9% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

71.6%

1,276 Graduates

About

University of California-Merced is a higher education institution located in Merced County, CA. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at University of California-Merced were General Biological Sciences (360 degrees awarded), General Psychology (310 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (208 degrees).

In 2021, 2,074 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of California-Merced. 54.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 45.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (1,034 degrees), 2.55 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Merced is $11,442, which is $−17,550 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Merced is $11,442, which is $−17,550 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $11,586.

In 2021, 91% of undergraduate students attending University of California-Merced received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 25% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$11,442

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at University of California-Merced was $11,442. The cost of tuition at University of California-Merced is $−17,550 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of California-Merced (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$11,586

2021 Value

14.7%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 University of California-Merced had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,586. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of University of California-Merced grew by 14.7%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$13,703

Room and Board

$1,047

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of California-Merced was of $13,703 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 6.88% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,047. The cost of books and supplies increased by 3.05% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of California-Merced (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

91%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

25%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

91% of undergraduate students at University of California-Merced received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 2.15% with respect to 2020, when 93% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.861%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at University of California-Merced was 0.861%, which represents 12 out of the 1394 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

University of California-Merced received 27,793 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 7.21% annual growth. Out of those 27,793 applicants, 24,068 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 86.6% acceptance rate.

There were 9,093 students enrolled at University of California-Merced in 2021. 96% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of California-Merced has an overall enrollment yield of 10%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

86.6%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

24,068

Accepted Out of 27,793

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of California-Merced was 86.6% (24,068 admissions from 27,793 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 84.8%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 7.21%, while admissions grew by 9.49%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of California-Merced (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

96%

Submission Percentage (2020)

1,874

Scores Submitted (2020)

96% of enrolled first-time students at University of California-Merced in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of California-Merced had a total enrollment of 9,093 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Merced is 8,996 students and the part-time enrollment is 97. This means that 98.9% of students enrolled at University of California-Merced are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of California-Merced, both undergraduate and graduate, is 54.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 9.48% White, 4.2% Black or African American, 3.33% Two or More Races, 0.396% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.077% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at University of California-Merced in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (32.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (25.1%) and Asian Male (11.3%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (13.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (10.7%) and White Female (10.3%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

98.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of California-Merced in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 9,093 students. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Merced is 8,996 and the part-time enrollment is 97. This means that 98.9% of students enrolled at University of California-Merced are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of California-Merced (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

79%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of California-Merced was 79%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), University of California-Merced had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of California-Merced (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
4,933 enrolled students
Asian
1,686 enrolled students
White
862 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of California-Merced is 54.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 9.48% White, 4.2% Black or African American, 3.33% Two or More Races, 0.396% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.077% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 92 students (1.01%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 168 more women than men received degrees from University of California-Merced. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino (1,034 degrees awarded). There were 2.55 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at University of California-Merced is General Biological Sciences (360 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (310 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (208 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of California-Merced, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (468 degrees awarded), Biology (380 degrees), and Physical Sciences (92 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Other managers (698,398 people), Physicians (535,107 people), Software developers (500,097 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (420,872 people), and Postsecondary teachers (396,625 people).

The most specialized majors at University of California-Merced in 2021 are Engineering (468 degrees awarded), Biology (380 degrees), Physical Sciences (92 degrees), Psychology (320 degrees), and Social Sciences (233 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

The most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Engineering (468 degrees awarded), Biology (380 degrees), Physical Sciences (92 degrees), Psychology (320 degrees), and Social Sciences (233 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Merced are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (863,292 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (818,811 people), Elementary & secondary schools (806,398 people), Computer Systems Design (689,997 people), and Architectural, engineering & related services (515,064 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of California-Merced.

Most Common (2021)

General Biological Sciences
360 degrees awarded
General Psychology
310 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
208 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of California-Merced was General Biological Sciences with 360 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of California-Merced according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

953

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

1,121

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 953 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced, which is 0.85 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,121).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of California-Merced by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 161 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced in General Computer Engineering, which is 4.35 times more than the 37 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 258 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Merced in General Psychology, which is 4.16 times more than the 62 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

45%

100% Completion Time

69%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 45% of students graduating from University of California-Merced completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 69% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 71% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (81%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at University of California-Merced is Female and Asian (81% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.313% of graduates (4 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
1,034 degrees awarded
Asian
406 degrees awarded
White
240 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino (1,034 degrees awarded). There were 2.55 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (406 degrees).

0.723% of degree recipients (15 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

Hispanic or Latino Female
606 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Male
428 degrees awarded
Asian Male
226 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of California-Merced is hispanic or latino female (606 degrees awarded). There were 1.42 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino male (428 degrees).

Operations

University of California-Merced employs 152 Lecturers, 114 Assistant professors and 93 Professors. Most academics at University of California-Merced are Male Lecturer (80), Female Lecturer (72), and Female Assistant professor (66).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Merced are: Business and Financial Operations, with 220 employees, Service, with 181 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 166 employees.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$28.8M - Federal
$10.4M - State
$96k - Local

As of 2021, University of California-Merced received $28.8M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $10.4M from state grants and contracts, and $96k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$173M

2021 Salaries

1.53%

growth from 2020

In 2021, University of California-Merced paid a median of $173M in salaries, a 1.53% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$49.8M

Instructional Salaries

451

Number of Employees

In 2021, University of California-Merced paid a total of $49.8M to 451 employees working as instructors, which represents 28.7% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Lecturer

Most Common Instructor

152 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

220 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at University of California-Merced were Lecturer with 152 employees, Assistant professor with 114 employees, and Professor with 93 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Merced were Business and Financial Operations with 220 employees, Service with 181 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 166 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Lecturer
Female Lecturer
Female Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at University of California-Merced was Male Lecturer with 80 employees, Female Lecturer with 72 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 66 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at University of California-Merced.