No. 43 for "Best Bang for the Buck" in the Western United States
- Washington Monthly’s 2021 College Guide and Rankings
2024-25 cost of attendance*
California resident tuition and fees: $15,556
Room and board (on campus, average): $21,446
Books and supplies (estimate): $1,046
Transportation (estimate): $940
Personal expenses (estimate): $2,252
Health insurance**: $2,662
For more information on estimated cost of attendance, visit
* Non-California residents pay an additional $34,200 in tuition. The cost of attendance for students entering in Fall 2025 will be available in the spring of 2025. 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.
2024-25 cost of attendance*
California resident tuition and fees: $15,556
Room and board (on campus, average): $21,446
Books and supplies (estimate): $1,046
Transportation (estimate): $940
Personal expenses (estimate): $2,252
Health insurance**: $2,662
For more information on estimated cost of attendance, visit
* Non-California residents pay an additional $34,200 in tuition. The cost of attendance for students entering in Fall 2025 will be available in the spring of 2025. 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
$23,052
was the average annual gift aid offered to eligible UC Merced students in 2022-23
#4 in the U.S. for Social Mobility* and #7 for advancing economic mobility**
* U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2022
** Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index 2023