University of California, Merced

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of California, Merced was $11,442 a year for in-state students and $41,196 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket feel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at University of California, Merced is $41,196 per year.

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 $11,442 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 41,196 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to verify 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

Is University of California, Merced's Tuition Different for International Students?

UC 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 $41,196 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at UC Merced.

Room and Board Costs at UC Merced

Housing and campus dining at UC Merced costs $19,341 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the UC Merced's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Board costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at UC 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 what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at UC Merced

The total cost of transportation 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 easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At UC Merced, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area can be costly, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of California, Merced campus is in a small town setting in California, not far from Fresno.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending University of California, Merced

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to UC Merced.

Total Cost of UC Merced

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,442
Out-of-State Tuition	$41,196
Room and Board	$19,341
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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Financial Aid at University of California, Merced

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The majority of UC Merced undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2022, 7,043 of the 8,276 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. UC Merced meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $29,265 a year. Around 65% of UC Merced undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. UC Merced graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $16,541 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,287
State Loans	$7,072
Private Loans	$25,710

Most Common Loans for UC Merced Students
Federal Loans	60%
State loans	5%
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 UC 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 2022, UC Merced awarded 6,960 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $163 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.71 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of California, Merced

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 UC 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 UC Merced was $29,265 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of UC Merced seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-20,520
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-14,491
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$38,499

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 UC 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the UC 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 UC Merced Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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

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Learn More About University of California, Merced

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