University of California-Merced Tuition (2026)

Merced, CA · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$15,623
Out-of-State Tuition$49,823
CA Average$16,639
National Average$18,082

Tuition Comparison

TuitionDifference
University of California-Merced (in-state)$15,623—
CA average$16,639-6%
National average$18,082-14%

Four-year cost at University of California-Merced

Per yearFour years
In-state$15,623$62,492
Out-of-state$49,823$199,292

Tuition only. Housing, books and living costs are not included — most colleges publish a fuller cost-of-attendance figure.

Where University of California-Merced sits on cost in CA

University of California-Merced ranks 190 by in-state tuition among the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower is cheaper. Out-of-state students pay 219% more than in-state students.

Colleges with a similar price to University of California-MercedIn-state tuition
University of California-Riverside$15,606
University of California-Irvine$15,722
University of the West$15,446
Lionel University$15,265

FAQ

How much is tuition at University of California-Merced?

In-state tuition at University of California-Merced is $15,623 per year; out-of-state students pay $49,823.

How does University of California-Merced tuition compare to the CA average?

University of California-Merced in-state tuition is 6% below the CA average of $16,639.

How does University of California-Merced tuition compare to the national average?

National average in-state tuition is $18,082; University of California-Merced is 14% below that.

Is $15,623 expensive for in-state students?

$15,623 is the official in-state tuition published by College Scorecard for the most recent cohort year.

What does four years at University of California-Merced cost?

Four years of tuition at University of California-Merced comes to about $62,492 for an in-state student and $199,292 for an out-of-state student at current rates. That is tuition only — it excludes housing, books and living costs.

Where does University of California-Merced rank on cost in CA?

By in-state tuition, University of California-Merced ranks 190 out of the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower numbers are cheaper. The five cheapest and five most expensive colleges in the state are listed above.