Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of California-Merced worth it?
Pay $11,983/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $64,368 ten years out — about 5.4× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of California-Merced vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of California-Merced | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $11,983 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $64,368 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $16,144 | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 68.7% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 90.5% | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $158,660 over four years. Most students get $27,682/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $16,144 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 25% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of California-Merced grad earns about $774,720 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of California-Merced
The average student at University of California-Merced pays $11,983 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $39,665 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $64,368 — above the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $16,144, roughly $175 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 25% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper California colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of California-Merced.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of California-Merced?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $11,983 per year. That's $27,682/yr in financial aid against the $39,665 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $47,932.
How much do University of California-Merced graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Merced graduates earn a median of $64,368 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 5.4× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of California-Merced graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $16,144 — about $175/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 28.6% of students take federal loans.
Is University of California-Merced worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of California-Merced a value grade of A — top 16% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $11,983/yr, earn $64,368/yr ten years out, ROI score of 13.43. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of California-Merced?
58.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 28.6% take federal student loans. On average, students get $27,682 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of California-Merced?
In-state tuition is $15,623 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $49,823 per year — a difference of $34,200/yr or $136,800 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of California-Merced?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $7,945. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $28,734. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →