University of California, Merced

In 2022, UC Merced's tuition was $12,522 a year for in-state students and $45,096 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of California, Merced is $45,096 per year.

University of California, Merced meets 82.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of California, Merced full-time are awarded $28,397 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $15,629 in student loans per borrower.

Does University of California, Merced Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of California, Merced is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,522 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 45,096 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's requirements for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

University of California, Merced International Student Tuition

University of California, Merced has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of California, Merced usually pay around $45,096 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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University of California, Merced Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of California, Merced.

Room and Board Costs at University of California, Merced

Room and board at University of California, Merced is $20,240 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the University of California, Merced's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at University of California, Merced?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area might be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of California, Merced campus is located in a town in California, not far from Fresno.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for University of California, Merced

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to University of California, Merced.

Total Cost of University of California, Merced

What will the cost of attending University of California, Merced be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$12,522
Out-of-State Tuition	$45,096
Room and Board	$20,240
Other expenses	$3,895

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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University of California, Merced Financial Aid

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The majority of University of California, Merced undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 6,744 of the 8,344 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of California, Merced meets 82.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $28,397 a year. Around 61% of University of California, Merced undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of California, Merced graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $15,629 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$15,458
State Loans	$6,840
Private Loans	$18,256

Most Common Loans for University of California, Merced Students
Federal Loans	58%
State loans	3%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of California, Merced financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of California, Merced

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of California, Merced awarded 6,636 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $161.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.29 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of California, Merced Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of California, Merced students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of California, Merced was $28,397 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of California, Merced seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-18,907
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-10,833
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$42,064

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of California, Merced really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of California, Merced's net cost calculator on their website.

University of California, Merced Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does University of California, Merced Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of California, Merced's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about University of California, Merced's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About University of California, Merced

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