Merced, CA · Private University
Is University of California-Merced Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$64,368
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,167
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$44,944
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$179,776
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.43x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
69.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,144
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,744
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of California-Merced graduates earn $19,368 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of California-Merced ranked by graduate earnings
35 graduates
162 graduates
175 graduates
24 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of California-Merced
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of California-Merced, the gap between the highest-earning major (Biomedical/Medical Engineering: $82,725) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $29,152) is $53,573/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical/Medical EngineeringBest ROI | $82,725 | 1.8x |
| Computer Engineering | $80,693 | 1.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,386 | 1.7x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $69,970 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $66,770 | 1.5x |
| Applied Mathematics | $65,623 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry | $56,584 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,183 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $52,891 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,020 | 1.2x |
| Cognitive Science | $47,142 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $43,278 | 1.0x |
| History | $42,305 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $42,087 | 0.9x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $36,555 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $29,152 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of California-Merced delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $64,368 10 years after starting, $19,368 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.