University of California, Merced
Merced, CA · Public Ivy
U.S. News 2026 National Universities rank: #57
The newest UC — a fast-growing Central Valley research campus with a Hispanic-serving mission and some of the lowest net prices in the system.
Key figures
- Acceptance Rate (Overall): 90.5%
- Average Net Price (Federal Aid Recipients): $11,983
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 68.7%
- Median Starting Salary: $48,475
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,372
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20