No. 43 for "Best Bang for the Buck" in the Western United States
- Washington Monthly’s 2021 College Guide and Rankings
2026-27 cost of attendance*
(for undergraduates who first enroll in Fall 2026)
California resident tuition and fees: $17,024
Food & Housing:
- On-campus average: $23,180 OR
- Off-campus average: $14,814 OR
- At-home average: $8,790
Books and supplies (estimate): $1,148
Transportation (estimate):
- On-campus average: $1,412 OR
- Off-campus average: $2,890 OR
- At-home average: $2,882
Personal expenses (estimate):
- On-campus average: $2,814 OR
- Off-campus average: $2,882 OR
- At-home average: $3,132
Health insurance**: $2,996
Loan Fee: $80
For more information on estimated cost of attendance, visit
* Non-California residents pay an additional $39,270 in tuition. The cost of attendance for students entering in Fall 2027 will be available in the spring 2027. 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.
86%
of UC Merced students received financial aid in 2025-26
About
$25,547
was the average annual gift aid offered to eligible UC Merced students in 2025-26
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.
