Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$14,272
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $14,167 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $44,944 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $20,293 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,214 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | Yes |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
84%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
61%
Average Aid Per Year
$25,868
61%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,659
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$13,138
71%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$10,568
64%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,659
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$173,275,136
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$3,592,225
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
35%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$4,754
Students receiving federal loans
34%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,576
Average Other Loans Per Year
$7,444
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,000
Loan Default Rate
6%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$172
What Students Are Saying
If you live on campus, you have a $2500 balance placed on your CatCard. Your CatCard is your ID card that is used for, of course, identification purposes, and for everything else on campus--to access some doors, the key to your room (some rooms), to check out things from the library, and of course, for your meal-plan.
So again, you have $2500 for the entire year, $1250 per semester. The leftover money from the $1250 from the 1st semester gets carried over to the 2nd semester, but you have to use it all up by the end of the school year, as the leftover money from 2nd semester doesn't carry onto the next year.
Most people end up with a lot of money by the end of the semester (I still have $400 and there's 2 weeks of class left before the end of the semester) while others like my roommate have $47 left for the next two weeks.
I ended up with a lot of money left because my parents always brought me food from home. My roommate, however, only ate the DC food, plus he spent about $30 per day worth of food.
To make sure you spend just the right amount, a typical day of food should consist of only 2 meals per day, usually around $10 per meal. Meal prices can vary, but it's about $10 average.
$10 for a meal...doesn't seem bad right? But in fact, it's terrible at times. Knowing that most students have no other choice but the DC food, they over-charge things. A small bag of Kettle Chips is $1.75. String cheese is $0.97. A banana is around $0.75. An English Muffin, yogurt, string cheese, and Raspberry Candied Almonds costs $8.
Many people complain about the price of food here, but you just have to accept the prices.
Education-wise, you pay to attend school here (assuming you weren't completely covered by financial aid) and you really do get a bang for your buck. You get a great education here. Many class sizes are restricted to 20 people per discussion section, and lectures usually consist of only 250-300 people max. It's a really small enviro...
So again, you have $2500 for the entire year, $1250 per semester. The leftover money from the $1250 from the 1st semester gets carried over to the 2nd semester, but you have to use it all up by the end of the school year, as the leftover money from 2nd semester doesn't carry onto the next year.
Most people end up with a lot of money by the end of the semester (I still have $400 and there's 2 weeks of class left before the end of the semester) while others like my roommate have $47 left for the next two weeks.
I ended up with a lot of money left because my parents always brought me food from home. My roommate, however, only ate the DC food, plus he spent about $30 per day worth of food.
To make sure you spend just the right amount, a typical day of food should consist of only 2 meals per day, usually around $10 per meal. Meal prices can vary, but it's about $10 average.
$10 for a meal...doesn't seem bad right? But in fact, it's terrible at times. Knowing that most students have no other choice but the DC food, they over-charge things. A small bag of Kettle Chips is $1.75. String cheese is $0.97. A banana is around $0.75. An English Muffin, yogurt, string cheese, and Raspberry Candied Almonds costs $8.
Many people complain about the price of food here, but you just have to accept the prices.
Education-wise, you pay to attend school here (assuming you weren't completely covered by financial aid) and you really do get a bang for your buck. You get a great education here. Many class sizes are restricted to 20 people per discussion section, and lectures usually consist of only 250-300 people max. It's a really small enviro...
Gabriel from Hercules, CA
Yes, the houses here are hella cheaper than any other place, but tuition fees will kick your butt. . . well at least it kicks mine. Like any other UCs, Merced is no exception, it's getting expensive here too. So prepare yourself, if you aren't getting a full ride scholarship, make sure you take advantage of the job opportunities they offer here. Don't hesitate or wait, get an early start and start building up your resume.
Jaelyn from Los Angeles, CA
Hey Its college, believe me, it ain't cheap were ever you go. The good thing about UCM is the work opportunities are fantastic.
Alberto from Orosi, CA
I got a full ride scholarship to go to UC Merced. I live on campus this year, and so I have over a thousand dollars to spend on food per semester. I'm not a heavy eater, and I do get food from home, so I ended up with a couple hundred dollars at the end of the semester that will roll over to Spring. It's also a really nice school, being only six years old, so the equipment is still fairly new. Overall, it's not a bad investment for a college.
Jensen from Cottonwood, CA
The school doesn't offer British Lit classes right now which is a bummer because that is the major i wish to pursue. However, I am working on my minors, too, so I don't really mind waiting to see if the classes I want will be offered.
Alexandra from Antelope, CA
Academically, this school is solid. I am getting a UC education without the competition for classes like I would have to at any other UC. Also, I am not just a number to my professors. In fact, Mr. Lambert, a writing professor, has become a mentor and friend to me. Though, it is cheaper to live off campus and the pain of eating at dining common hours is not an issue. Otherwise, between the bus system, the two concerts a year, multiple social, academic, and other events, this school is much better than anyone really thinks it is.
Sarah from Castro Valley, CA
I had to pay 29000 dollars and its a lot of money but its worth it. Each student is given about 1000 dollars in something called Cat Card and the we can buy pretty much anything we want on campus with it.
Rafael from Los Angeles, CA
It seems that tuition prices are on the rise all over the country. UC Merced is no exception to this. However, obtaining a degree from the University of California school system is one of the most worthwhile and rewarding things a person can do for their future.
Although tuition rates are up, UC Merced is great at providing financial aid to its students. Many students enjoy the benefit of receiving aid and/or scholarships to help pay for their education. UC Merced is also fabulous at answering any and all questions that students have concerning aid opportunities. This school really does all it can to help get you through college with the least amount of debt possible.
Although tuition rates are up, UC Merced is great at providing financial aid to its students. Many students enjoy the benefit of receiving aid and/or scholarships to help pay for their education. UC Merced is also fabulous at answering any and all questions that students have concerning aid opportunities. This school really does all it can to help get you through college with the least amount of debt possible.
Sharai from Merced, CA
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