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Tioga Hotel - Merced California (cropped)Photo: Publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Merced

Merced is home to two colleges, with about 16,000 students on campus

The University of California-Merced (9,145 students on campus) and Merced College (7,026) are inside the city. About 8% of Merced’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

Merced CollegeUniversity of California-Merced

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Merced. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
16,171 students on campus
Nearest college
1.7 mi
Merced College
Residents in college
8%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
1.7 mi
Merced College · $1,200 tuition
Nearest public university
4.5 mi
University of California-Merced · $15,623 in-state
Median household income
$63K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Merced

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.5 milesUniversity of California-Merced admits 91% of applicants. Together they have 16,171 students on campus.A community college 1.7 miles awayMerced College in Merced: tuition and fees $1,200 a year for California residents.In-state price at University of California-MercedLiving in California, the University of California-Merced charges $15,623 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $49,823. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 8% of residentsAbout the same as California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Merced

Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Merced.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of California-MercedMerced CollegeMerced
University or collegeCommunity college
Merced CollegeCommunity college · Public · 7,026 on campus · In Merced$5knet price36%graduate$38kearningsTuition and fees: $1,200 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of California-MercedUniversity or college · Public · 9,145 on campus · In Merced91%admitted$12knet price69%graduate$64kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Merced’s median household income ($63,122) falls.

Merced CollegeIn Merced · sticker $14,485 · tuition $1,200$5,562a year
University of California-MercedIn Merced · sticker $39,665$11,557a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Merced: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Merced CollegeUniversity of California-Merced
University of California-Merced69% graduate$64k earnings$16k typical debt
Merced College36% graduate$38k earnings

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Merced

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Merced’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Psychology 14%Liberal arts 14%Health professions 11%Engineering 10%Business 10%Social sciences 10%Everything else 30%

Biggest programs

Psychology, GeneralMerced College · 328 graduates a year
$37k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralUniversity of California-Merced · 308 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Computer EngineeringUniversity of California-Merced · 217 graduates a year
$103k4 yrs out
Social Sciences, GeneralMerced College · 188 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of California-Merced · 150 graduates a year
$95k4 yrs out
Public HealthUniversity of California-Merced · 112 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMerced College · 102 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Political Science and GovernmentUniversity of California-Merced · 102 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Merced

Is Merced a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Merced residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The largest campus in the city, the University of California-Merced, has 9,145 students on campus.

What colleges are in Merced?

The University of California-Merced and Merced College are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Merced, and what does it cost?

Merced College in Merced, 1.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,200 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $5,040, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of California-Merced cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $15,623 a year in-state and $49,823 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,945 (under $30,000 income) to $28,734 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Merced. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →