# University of California-Merced

Merced, CA. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/university-of-california-merced

University of California-Merced is a public college in Merced, CA with 8,372 undergraduates. It admits 91% of applicants. The average net price after aid is $11,583 per year ($7,387 for families earning under $30,000). 68% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $69,352 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 91% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test blind (scores not considered) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 67,891 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 26,598 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $41,008 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $11,583 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $7,387 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $7,141 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $10,285 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $14,069 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $30,779 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 8,372 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 68% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $69,352 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,500 (FY2024) |

## What University of California-Merced considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Required
- High school GPA: Required
- College-prep coursework: Required
- Class rank: Not considered
- Essay or personal statement: Required
- Recommendations: Not considered
- Demonstrated competencies: Not considered
- Legacy status: Not considered
- Work experience: Considered
- English proficiency test: Required

## FAQ

**What is University of California-Merced's acceptance rate?**

University of California-Merced admits 91% of applicants, which makes it open.

**Is University of California-Merced test optional?**

Test blind (scores not considered).

**How many students apply to University of California-Merced?**

In Fall 2023, 67,891 students applied to University of California-Merced and 26,598 were admitted; 2,416 enrolled.

**Does University of California-Merced consider legacy status?**

No. University of California-Merced reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does University of California-Merced require an essay?**

University of California-Merced reported that an essay or personal statement is required for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does University of California-Merced cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $41,008 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $11,583.

**What is University of California-Merced's graduation rate?**

68% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 445188. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology