University of California-Merced logoUniversity of California-Merced

    University of California-Merced

    Merced, CA · West

    University of California-Merced has an acceptance rate of 90.5%. The numbers below show who gets in and what it costs.

    Acceptance rate
    90.5%
    Cost after aid
    $11,983
    Graduation rate
    69%

    What University of California-Merced says matters

    How University of California-Merced rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

    Acceptance rate
    92%
    28,903 of 31,582
    Yield
    7.3%
    2,097 enrolled
    CDS year
    2024-25

    Acceptance rate by gender

    Men
    91%13,672 of 15,051
    Women
    92%13,933 of 15,134

    Very important

    • Rigor of secondary school record
    • Academic GPA
    • Application essay

    Important

    • Extracurricular activities
    • Talent or ability

    Considered

    • Recommendations
    • Character or personal qualities
    • First generation
    • Geographical residence
    • State residency
    • Volunteer work
    • Work experience

    Not considered

    • Class rank
    • Standardized test scores
    • Interview
    • Alumni relation
    • Religious affiliation or commitment
    • Level of applicant's interest

    The full Common Data Set

    Every figure University of California-Merced published for 2024-25, section by section.

    First-Time, First-Year Admission100

    Entrance Exams

    Institutional Exam
    X
    Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?
    N

    Applications

    Total first-time, first-year men who applied
    15,051
    Total first-time, first-year women who applied
    15,134
    Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who applied
    1,397
    Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted
    13,672
    Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted
    13,933
    Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who were admitted
    1,298
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
    1,149
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
    13
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
    847
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
    7
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled
    0
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
    81
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
    0
    Total first-time, first-year students who applied
    31,582
    Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
    28,903
    Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled
    2,097
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    26,461
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    24,679
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    2,065
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    1,656
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    1,408
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    16
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    3,465
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    22,816
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    12

    Wait List

    Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list?
    N

    Admissions Requirements

    High school diploma is required and GED is accepted
    X
    Total academic units
    15
    English
    4
    Mathematics
    3
    Science
    2
    Of these, units that must be lab
    2
    Foreign language
    2
    History
    2
    Computer Science
    1
    Visual/Performing Arts
    1
    Total academic units
    18
    Mathematics
    4
    Science
    3
    Of these, units that must be lab
    3
    Foreign language
    3

    Basis for Selection

    Rigor of secondary school record
    Very Important
    Class rank
    Not Considered
    Academic GPA
    Very Important
    Standardized test scores
    Not Considered
    Application Essay
    Very Important
    Recommendation(s)
    Considered
    Interview
    Not Considered
    Extracurricular activities
    Important
    Talent/ability
    Important
    Character/personal qualities
    Considered
    First generation
    Considered
    Alumni/ae relation
    Not Considered
    Geographical residence
    Considered
    State residency
    Considered
    Religious affiliation/commitment
    Not Considered
    Volunteer work
    Considered
    Work experience
    Considered
    Level of applicant’s interest
    Not Considered

    First-time, first-year Profile

    SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Total
    0
    SAT Math: Total
    0
    SAT Composite: Total
    0
    ACT Composite: Total
    0
    ACT Math: Total
    0
    ACT English: Total
    0
    ACT Writing: Total
    0
    ACT Science: Total
    0
    ACT Reading: Total
    0
    Total
    0
    Total
    0
    Percent who had GPA of 4.0
    17%
    Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
    18%
    Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
    23%
    Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
    20%
    Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
    18%
    Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
    4.0%
    Total
    1
    Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA:
    3.57
    Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school GPA:
    100%

    Admission Policies

    Does your institution have an application fee?
    Y
    Amount of application fee:
    70
    Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?
    Y
    Same fee
    X
    Can on-line application fee be waived for applicants with financial need?
    X
    Does your institution have an application closing date?
    Y
    Application closing date (fall)
    2024-11-30 00:00:00
    Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?
    Y
    Yes, on a rolling basis:
    Y
    Beginning date
    2025-03-01 00:00:00
    Must reply by May 1st or within____weeks if notified after
    1
    Deadline for housing deposit (MMDD):
    2025-05-07 00:00:00
    Amount of housing deposit:
    300
    Yes, in part
    X
    Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission?
    Y
    If yes, maximum period of postponement:
    1 year
    Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year students one year or more before high school graduation?
    N
    Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?
    N
    Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college?
    N
    Transfer Admission38

    Fall Applicants

    Does your institution enroll transfer students? (If no, please skip to Section E)
    Y
    If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?
    Y
    Men
    2,022
    Women
    1,564
    Unknown
    180
    Total
    3,766
    Men
    1,260
    Women
    1,021
    Unknown
    116
    Total
    2,397
    Men
    114
    Women
    100
    Unknown
    9
    Total
    223

    Application for Admission

    Fall
    X
    Spring
    X
    Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?
    N
    High school transcript
    Not Required
    College transcript(s)
    Not Required
    Essay or personal statement
    Required of All
    Interview
    Not Required
    Standardized test scores
    Required of Some
    Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)
    Not Required
    If a minimum college grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify (on a 4.0 scale):
    2
    Fall
    2024-11-30 00:00:00
    Spring
    2024-07-31 00:00:00
    Fall
    2024-04-30 00:00:00
    Spring
    2024-09-30 00:00:00
    Fall
    2024-06-01 00:00:00
    Spring
    2024-11-01 00:00:00

    Transfer Credit Policies

    Number
    70
    Unit Type
    Credits
    Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:
    36
    American Council on Education (ACE)
    Y
    College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
    N
    DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
    N
    Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?
    Y
    If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located:
    https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/sites/admissions.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/2014ucmtransfercreditpractice_0.pdf
    Academic Offerings and Policies11

    Special Study Options

    Accelerated program
    X
    Double major
    X
    Honors Program
    X
    Independent study
    X
    Study abroad
    X
    Undergraduate Research
    X

    Required Course Work

    English (including composition)
    X
    Humanities
    X
    Mathematics
    X
    Sciences (biological or physical)
    X
    Social science
    X
    Student Life25

    Percent Participating

    Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
    <1%
    Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
    80%
    Percent who live off campus or commute
    20%
    Percent of students age 25 and older
    <1%
    Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
    <1%
    Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
    52%
    Percent who live off campus or commute
    48%

    Average Age

    Average age of full-time students
    18
    Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
    18
    Average age of full-time students
    20
    Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
    20

    Activities Offered

    Campus Ministries
    X
    Choral groups
    X
    Dance
    X
    Drama/theater
    X
    Jazz band
    X
    Marching band
    X
    Pep band
    X
    Student government
    X
    Student-run film society
    X
    Symphony orchestra
    X

    Housing

    Coed dorms
    X
    Special housing for disabled students
    X
    Theme housing
    X
    Living Learning Communities
    X
    Financial Aid4

    Need-based Aid Awarded

    Total Scholarships/Grants
    0
    Total Self-Help
    0

    Non-need-based Aid Awarded

    Total Scholarships/Grants
    0
    Total Self-Help
    0
    Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred18

    Diploma/Certificates

    TOTAL (should = 100%)
    0

    Associate

    TOTAL (should = 100%)
    0

    Bachelors

    Area, ethnic, and gender studies
    0.49
    Engineering
    23.515
    Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
    0.796
    English
    1.776
    Biological/life sciences
    17.514
    Mathematics and statistics
    1.531
    Interdisciplinary studies
    2.327
    Philosophy and religious studies
    0.245
    Physical sciences
    2.939
    Psychology
    20.024
    Social sciences
    9.859
    Visual and performing arts
    0.919
    Health professions and related programs
    5.695
    Business/marketing
    10.839
    History
    1.531
    TOTAL (should = 100%)
    100%
    Enrollment And Persistence166

    Institutional Enrollment

    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men
    1,149
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women
    847
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown
    81
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: men
    112
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: women
    99
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: unknown
    9
    All other degree-seeking: men
    3,148
    All other degree-seeking: women
    2,680
    All other degree-seeking: unknown
    119
    Total degree-seeking: men
    4,409
    Total degree-seeking: women
    3,626
    Total degree-seeking: another gender
    0
    Total degree-seeking: unknown
    209
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: men
    4,409
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: women
    3,626
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: another gender
    0
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: unknown
    209
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men
    13
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women
    7
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: men
    2
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: women
    1
    All other degree-seeking: men
    60
    All other degree-seeking: women
    43
    All other degree-seeking: unknown
    2
    Total degree-seeking: men
    75
    Total degree-seeking: women
    51
    Total degree-seeking: another gender
    0
    Total degree-seeking: unknown
    2
    Total undergraduate Part-Time Students: men
    75
    Total undergraduate Part-Time Students: women
    51
    Total undergraduate Part-Time Students: another gender
    0
    Total undergraduate Part-Time Students: unknown
    2
    Total undergraduate students: men
    4,484
    Total undergraduate students: women
    3,677
    Total undergraduate students: another gender
    0
    Total undergraduate students: unknown
    211
    Degree-seeking, first-time: men
    77
    Degree-seeking, first-time: women
    51
    Degree-seeking, first-time: unknown
    10
    All other degree-seeking: men
    329
    All other degree-seeking: women
    240
    All other degree-seeking: unknown
    21
    Degree-seeking, first-time: men
    2
    Degree-seeking, first-time: women
    1
    All other degree-seeking: men
    3
    All other degree-seeking: women
    3
    All other degree-seeking: unknown
    1
    Total graduate Part-Time Students: men
    5
    Total graduate Part-Time Students: women
    4
    Total graduate Part-Time Students: another gender
    0
    Total graduate Part-Time Students: unknown
    1
    Total Graduate Students: men
    411
    Total Graduate Students: women
    295
    Total Graduate Students: another gender
    0
    Total Graduate Students: unknown
    32
    Total All Students: men
    4,895
    Total All Students: women
    3,972
    Total All Students: another gender
    0
    Total All Students: unknown
    243
    Total all undergraduates
    8,372
    Total all graduate
    738
    Grand Total All Students
    9,110

    All

    Total graduate Full-Time Students: men
    406
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: women
    291
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: another gender
    0
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: unknown
    31

    Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

    Nonresidents
    87
    Hispanic/Latino
    1,095
    Black or African American, non-Hispanic
    112
    White, non-Hispanic
    168
    American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
    5
    Asian, non-Hispanic
    493
    Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
    10
    Two or more races, non-Hispanic
    101
    Race and/or ethnicity unknown
    26
    TOTAL
    2,097
    Nonresidents
    322
    Hispanic/Latino
    4,402
    Black or African American, non-Hispanic
    417
    White, non-Hispanic
    770
    American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
    15
    Asian, non-Hispanic
    1,941
    Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
    21
    Two or more races, non-Hispanic
    384
    Race and/or ethnicity unknown
    100
    TOTAL
    8,372
    Nonresidents
    322
    Hispanic/Latino
    4,402
    Black or African American, non-Hispanic
    417
    White, non-Hispanic
    770
    American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
    15
    Asian, non-Hispanic
    1,941
    Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
    21
    Two or more races, non-Hispanic
    384
    Race and/or ethnicity unknown
    100
    TOTAL
    8,372

    Persistence

    Bachelor's degrees
    1,633
    Master's degrees
    94
    Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship
    112

    Graduation Rates

    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    1,413
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    273
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    523
    Total
    2,209
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    0
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    0
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    0
    Total
    0
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    1,413
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    273
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    523
    Total
    2,209
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    706
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    149
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    261
    Total
    1,116
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    225
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    42
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    83
    Total
    350
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    42
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    5
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    12
    Total
    59
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    973
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    196
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    356
    Total
    1,525
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    0.689
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    0.718
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    0.681
    Total
    0.69
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    1,497
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    277
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    511
    Total
    2,285
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    0
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    0
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    0
    Total
    0
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    1,497
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    277
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    511
    Total
    2,285
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    739
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    128
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    244
    Total
    1,111
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    265
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    48
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    94
    Total
    407
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    39
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    9
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    14
    Total
    62
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    1,043
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    185
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    352
    Total
    1,580
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    0.697
    Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
    0.668
    Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
    0.689
    Total
    0.691
    2021 Cohort
    0
    2020 Cohort
    0

    Retention Rates

    For the cohort of all full-time bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered your institution as first-year students in Fall 2023 (or the preceding summer term), what percentage was enrolled at your institution as of the date your institution calculates its official enrollment in Fall 2024.
    82%
    Instructional Faculty And Class Size47

    Instructional Faculty

    A. Total number of instructional faculty
    422
    B. Total number who are members of minority groups
    76
    C. Total number who are women
    172
    D. Total number who are men
    213
    E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
    17
    F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
    363
    G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
    55
    H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
    4
    I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.)
    0
    J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
    0
    A. Total number of instructional faculty
    40
    B. Total number who are members of minority groups
    7
    C. Total number who are women
    19
    D. Total number who are men
    17
    E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
    1
    F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
    28%
    G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
    11
    H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
    1
    J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
    0
    A. Total number of instructional faculty
    462
    B. Total number who are members of minority groups
    83
    C. Total number who are women
    191
    D. Total number who are men
    230
    E. Total number who are nonresidents (international)
    18
    F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree
    391
    G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s
    66
    H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s
    5
    J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
    0

    Student to Faculty Ratio

    Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio
    19.719
    based on ____ students
    9,110
    and ____ faculty
    462

    Undergraduate Class Size

    2-9
    28
    10-19
    124
    20-29
    221
    30-39
    50
    40-49
    24
    50-99
    114
    100+
    92
    Total
    653
    2-9
    14
    10-19
    82
    20-29
    302
    30-39
    244
    40-49
    36
    50-99
    4
    100+
    0
    Total
    682
    Source: University of California-Merced's Common Data Set 2024-25

    About University of California-Merced

    University of California-Merced is a mid-sized public university in Merced, CA, in a city setting.

    What University of California-Merced looks for

    University of California-Merced admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.

    Frequently asked

    • What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Merced?

      University of California-Merced admits roughly 91% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.

    • What does University of California-Merced actually cost after financial aid?

      Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $11,983 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

    • Is University of California-Merced a reach, match, or safety for me?

      Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat University of California-Merced as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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