2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More

$11,586

Net Price

87%

Admitted

10%

Enrolled

72%

Graduation Rate

19/1

Student / Faculty

University Detail

University of California-Merced

is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 9,093. In 2021, there were 306 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #39 in California and ranks #424 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.

Psychology Degrees Offered

Bachelor, Master, Doctor

Psychology Graduates

306

Total Enrollment

9,093

Type

Public, Four or more years

Institution Accreditation

WASC Senior College and University Commission

Ranking for University of California-Merced

Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.

#39

California Rank

Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, University of California-Merced ranks #39.

#424

U.S. Rank

Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., University of California-Merced ranks #424.

Psychology Programs Offered

For psychology degrees, University of California-Merced offers General Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers General Psychology. At the doctorate level General Psychology are offered.

In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.

Psychology Graduates in 2021BSMAPhD
General Psychology29682
Total Graduates29682
US Department of Education

Admission, Enrollment, Graduation

In the fall of 2021, 27,793 students applied to the University of California-Merced. The university admitted 87% and 10% of those who were admitted also enrolled.

By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.

The percentage of University of California-Merced students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 79%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.

The overall graduation rate for University of California-Merced is 72%, compared to 66% for all California universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 32%.

  • Credits Accepted: Dual enrollment, Advanced placement (AP) credits

Compare UC Merced to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees

Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of University of California-Merced to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.

Why it Matters

Compare Admission and Enrollment

Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.

UC Merced

27,793

Applicants

87%

Percent Admitted

10%

Percent Enrolled

79%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

72%

Graduation Rate

CA Colleges

21,883

Applicants

64%

Percent Admitted

22%

Percent Enrolled

72%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

66%

Graduation Rate

Student & Faculty Information

In the fall of 2021, there were 547 or 92% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 45 or 8% part-time faculty members employed at University of California-Merced. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 451 or 76%.

Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.

Why it Matters

Compare Faculty Numbers

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.

UC Merced

19 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

92%

Percent Full-Time

8%

Percent Part-Time

76%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

CA Colleges

19 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

40%

Percent Full-Time

60%

Percent Part-Time

39%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

Tuition and Student Expenses

For the 2021-2022 academic year at University of California-Merced the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $11,442, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,073.

For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $11,442 and the average cost for graduate fees is $1,765.

In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend University of California-Merced in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.

Expenses for University of California-Merced2021-2022
On Campus Room & Board$18,901
On-Campus Living Expenses$4,603
Total Living Expenses$23,504
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$11,442
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$1,073
Total Undergraduate Expenses$36,019
In-State, Graduate Tuition$11,442
In-State, Graduate Fees$1,765
Total Graduate Expenses$13,207
US Department of Education

Net Price

Average Net Price

The average net price to attend University of California-Merced is $11,586. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.

In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.

Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The 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 for room and board and other expenses.

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend University of California-Merced presented by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Average Net Price by Income2020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$10,367$8,370
$30,001 – $48,000$11,404$9,274
$48,001 – $75,000$14,265$11,997
$75,001 – $110,000$19,799$15,853
$110,001 and more$30,127$26,004
US Department of Education

Compare University of California-Merced to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.

For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.

Why it Matters

Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.

UC Merced

$36,019

Cost to Attend

$21,518

Average Financial Aid

93%

Percent Receiving Aid

$11,586

Net Price

CA Colleges

$33,186

Cost to Attend

$9,615

Average Financial Aid

80%

Percent Receiving Aid

$14,526

Average Net Price

Financial Aid

The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,810 or 93%.

The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 7,541 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $21,518.

All Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid# Receiving AidAverage Aid Received
Grant or Scholarship Aid7,541$21,518
Pell Grants5,216$5,724
Federal Student Loans2,078$5,201
US Department of Education

Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the University of California-Merced to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.

We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.

Why it Matters

Compare Financial Aid

Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.

UC Merced

7,541

Grant or Scholarship Aid

51%

Grants or Scholarships

5,216

Number of Pell Grants

35%

Pell Grants

2,078

Federal Student Loans

14%

Federal Student Loans

CA Colleges

6,293

Grant or Scholarship Aid

60%

Grants or Scholarships

3,062

Number of Pell Grants

29%

Pell Grants

1,114

Federal Student Loans

11%

Federal Student Loans

See Additional Psychology Schools for California.

psychology Source Data from

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