No. 43 for "Best Bang for the Buck" in the Western United States
- Washington Monthly’s 2021 College Guide and Rankings
2025-26 cost of attendance*
(for Undergraduates who first enroll in Fall 2025)
California resident tuition and fees: $16,054
Food & Housing:
- On-campus average: $22,594 OR
- Off-campus average: $13,822 OR
- At-home average: $8,976
Room and board (on campus, average): $21,446
Books and supplies (estimate): $1,100
Transportation (estimate): $1,084
Personal expenses (estimate): $2,384
Health insurance**: $2,790
Loan Fee: $76
For more information on estimated cost of attendance, visit
* Non-California residents pay an additional $37,602 in tuition. The cost of attendance for students entering in Fall 2026 will be available in the spring of 2026. Your systemwide tuition and fees remain unchanged for six years after you enroll at UC Merced. Remember, the cost of attendance displayed is before financial aid and scholarship assistance, so your actual cost may be lower.
** The campus medical health insurance charge will be waived for students who provide proof of a comparable health insurance plan.
2025-26 cost of attendance*
(for Undergraduates who first enroll in Fall 2025)
California resident tuition and fees: $16,054
Food & Housing:
- On-campus average: $22,594 OR
- Off-campus average: $13,822 OR
- At-home average: $8,976
Room and board (on campus, average): $21,446
Books and supplies (estimate): $1,100
Transportation (estimate): $1,084
Personal expenses (estimate): $2,384
Health insurance**: $2,790
Loan Fee: $76
For more information on estimated cost of attendance, visit
* Non-California residents pay an additional $37,602 in tuition. The cost of attendance for students entering in Fall 2026 will be available in the spring of 2026. Your systemwide tuition and fees remain unchanged for six years after you enroll at UC Merced. Remember, the cost of attendance displayed is before financial aid and scholarship assistance, so your actual cost may be lower.
** The campus medical health insurance charge will be waived for students who provide proof of a comparable health insurance plan.
85%
of UC Merced students received financial aid in 2022-23
About
$24,975
was the average annual gift aid offered to eligible UC Merced students in 2024-25
UC Merced is firmly committed to making a college education affordable for all students. With financial aid and scholarship resources, attending UC Merced is more affordable than you might think!
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to ensure you are automatically considered for all types of aid, including scholarships and grants (see links below). Take this step early to maximize access to available funding.
#1 for Advancing Social Mobility*
Wall Street Journal, 2024
* Social mobility is a term used to describe how well colleges and universities attract, retain and help students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds complete their degrees and graduate into promising careers.
