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University of California-Merced
Merced, CA
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) is a public research university located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Merced, California. Established in 2005, it is the newest campus in the University of California system. UC Merced is known for its commitment to sustainability and interdisciplinary research, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields.
One unique aspect of UC Merced is its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The campus was designed with sustainable practices in mind and has achieved LEED Platinum certification for its energy-efficient buildings. The university also promotes sustainability in its curriculum, research, and operations, aiming to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2020. This commitment to sustainability attracts students who are passionate about environmental issues and want to contribute to a greener future.
UC Merced is a vibrant and diverse campus community with a small-town feel. With a relatively small student population, students have the opportunity to form close relationships with faculty and fellow students. The campus offers a range of academic programs across various fields, such as natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences, providing students with a well-rounded education. Additionally, UC Merced's location in the Central Valley of California offers opportunities for students to engage with the local community and contribute to regional growth and development.
In conclusion, the University of California, Merced is a young and innovative campus known for its commitment to sustainability and interdisciplinary research. With a small-town feel and a range of academic programs, UC Merced offers students a unique learning experience. Whether students are interested in environmental issues, cutting-edge research, or community engagement, UC Merced provides a supportive and engaging environment for them to pursue their passions and make an impact.
Located in Merced, CA, University of California, Merced is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at University of California, Merced is 83% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is November 30. The transfer application deadline is November 30.
Read more about what University of California, Merced has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
8,373
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
88%
Acceptance Rate
21:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Discover some important data about admission policy and requirements at University of California, Merced.
In 2024, the school accepted 26,595 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.6. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by November 30. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is November 30.
88%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for University of California, Merced was 83%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right match for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of California, Merced in 2024 was 9,148.
That year, the school had 1% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 8,373, 351 of which were foreign students. 209 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,684 male and 4,172 female full-time students in 2024. 410 full-time graduate men and 324 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,849, while the number of Afro-American students was 400. 4,539 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 371 identified with more than one race. The school also had 22 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 12 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 85 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $12,259.5. Tuition fees were $44,554.5 for students coming from a different state. Tuition costs at University of California, Merced for international students added up to $44,554.5. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,350.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $44,555 | $2,350 | $46,904 |
| In-State | $12,260 | $2,350 | $14,609 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,046.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2024, room and board cost at University of California, Merced amounted to $21,446 a year.
| Tuition | $ 12,260 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,446 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,046 |
| Total Expense | $ 34,752 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at University of California, Merced.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,981 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $28,191.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
6,609 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of California, Merced is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 6,742. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $31,452,961, and state $74,350,199. The students of University of California, Merced received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $65,531,003, and external in the amount of $1,940,970.
$6,518
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 94 students overall (including freshmen) at University of California, Merced in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 38 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $31,452,961 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $236,882. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $2,269,879. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $260,498 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
21:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at University of California, Merced was 21:1. That means that there were 21 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 445 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 256 male and 189 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about social life at University of California, Merced.
Its campus spans 815 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 200 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities.
Student Services
At University of California, Merced, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Women's Center are available to the students of University of California, Merced.
All in all, campus life at University of California, Merced is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of California, Merced.
Career Counselling
At University of California, Merced, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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University of California, Merced is located in Merced, CA.
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University of California, Merced offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of California, Merced is 88%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of California, Merced is 83%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.