University of California Merced
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University of California Merced: Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#501 in World

#127 in USA

Rupee Coin Icon1292 Scholarships for studying in USA
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  • Institute Icon815 acre campus
  • Estd. 2005

About University of California Merced

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Year of establishment
2005
Also known as
UCM
University website
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Student website
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Campus size
815 acres
No. of campus
1
Scholarships available
9
Endowment value
USD 38 million
Scholarships granted
7341
Scholarship amount granted
USD 176 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
547
Faculty/Student ratio
19
Male/Female ratio
1.03
UG/PG course ratio
0.58
Total criminal offences
204
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   How good of a school is UC Merced?
A: 

The University of California Merced is one of the finest institutions of higher ducation in the world. As per student reviews, admission requirements at UC Merced are less demanding, resulting in acceptance of some students who have a lower chance of handling the academic rigor. The University of California ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 is in the range of #401-500 in the world.

Q:   What is the application fees at the University of California Merced for international students?
A: 

Once the application form is filled out and submitted with all the necessary documents. Applicants are required to pay an application fee for processing their application form. The University of California Merced application fee may vary from course to course for international students. The Universtiy of California Merced application fee for international students applying ofr undergraduate programs is USD 80/INR 6,663. Whereas, the US Merced application fee for postgraduate programs is USD 150/INR 12,493.

*USD/INR = 83.29

Q:   Is it hard to get into the University of California Merced?
A: 

As per the US News and World Report, the UC Merced acceptance rate is 89.5%. With an acceptance rate of 89.5% we can say it is moderately selective in admission. Each year thousands of students from across the United States and around the world apply at the University of California Merced. It is not very hard to get in to the University of California Merced, however, for some popular programs UC Merced admission is very competitive.  Please note, the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary. 

University of California Merced Ranking 2025

#501

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#127

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Is the University of California Merced a good University?
A: 

The University of California Merced is one of the best and top rated universities in the world. The UC Merced is part of the prestigious the University of California system. The University of California Merced is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and nationally. The UC Merced ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 is in the range of #401-500 in the world. Meanwhile, the U.S. News and World Report 2023 ranked the University of California Merced #673 among the global universities and #97 among the national universities.

Q:   Is it worth doing engineering at the University of California Merced?
A: 

The University of California Merced offers a number of engineering programs through School of Engineering. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked the UC Merced #401-500 for its engineering programs in the world. The U.S. News and World Report 2023 ranked UC Merced #118 for its Biomedical Engineering programs, #128 for its Electrical Engineering programs, and #122 for its Mechanical Engineering in the United States.

Q:   How are Science courses at the University of California Merced for international students?
A: 

The School of Natural Sciences of the University of California Merced offers a number of top-rated courses. The University of California Merced is a research intensive university and is known all over the world for its academic excellence. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 ranked the UC Merced #201-250 for Life Sciences programs and #301-400 for Psychology programs in the world.

University of California Merced Admission 2026

  • Application fees :No Fees
  • Type of deadline :Regular
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for all courses
LORNeeded for all courses
EssaysNot required
CVNot required
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   How can I apply at the University of California Merced as an international student?
A: 

The University of California Merced offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to international students. International students can apply at the University of California Merced online through their application portal. International students are advised to check the admission requirements and admission deadlines before applying at UC Merced.

Q:   Is it too late to apply to UC Merced?
A: 

The University of California Merced offers a variety of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The UC Merced application deadlines for international students from course to course. International students can still apply for the undergraduate programs. First-year students and transfer students can apply to the university between Nov 1, 2024, to Nov 30, 2024.

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at UC Merced?
A: 

Some of the tips for students starting their first-semester at the  University of California Merced are:

  • Students who applied for UC Merced must be humble and should interact with as many people as possible. Mainly beacause, the more people you talk to the better knowledge you get. 
  • Attend as many gathering and parties as much as you can. 
  • Applicants should avoid missing classess, as 70% of learning comes from students going to classes. 
  • Students can get invovlved with extracuricular activities, i.e joing university clubs, sports etc. This will also look good on a portfolio in the longer run. 







UC Merced
UC Merced Scholarship

9No. of scholarships available
15.2 LTotal scholarship amount

University of California Merced Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(2 courses)
INR 13 L - 26 LGet Fee Details
Duration18 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo, GRE
B.Sc.(2 courses)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   What are the English language requirements at the University of California Merced for international students?
A: 

 English is the language of instruction for the majority of the programs at the University of California Merced. All international students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Check below the University of California Merced English language requirements for international students are:

Exam

Score

TOEFL

80

IELTS

6.5

Q:   What is the tuition fees at the University of California Merced?
A: 

The University of California Merced is a public university, therefore, the tuition fees for domestic and international students may vary. The tuition fees for international students will also depend on the type of courses and level of study. Check below the UC Merced fees for some of its popular courses:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS

INR 9.44 L – 21.61 L

BSc

INR 9.21 L

Masters in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

INR 21.61 L

Q:   What are the admission requirements at the University of California Merced for international students?
A: 

International students seeking admission to the University of California Merced are required to meet the course-specific and general admission requirements. International students are advised to check for the course-specific requirements before applying. Check below UC Merced requirements for international students:

  • Class 10 and 12 boards with average marks above 70 and no below 60
  • Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • TOEFL/IELTS
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 3 Letters of Recommendations
  • GRE/GMAT
  • SAT/ACT  (Optional)
  • Essay
Q:   What are the admission requirements for UC Merced?
A: 

Below are the UC Merced admission requirements for international students:

Undergraduate requirements:

  • You must complete both year X and XII state board or CBSE examinations.

  • Applicants must have marks above 70 annd no marks below 60 is accepted.

  • Applicants must Report their subjects and marks on the International Exams page of the application, under the Test Scores tab (step 4 of 5).

  • Applicants must Graduate from secondary school and earn a certificate of completion that allows you to attend a university in your country.

  •  

English Lanuage Tests

Minimum required score

TOEFL ( PBT)

550 or better

IELTS

6.5 or better

TOEFL (iBT)

80 or better

DUOLINGO

Score of 115 or better

Graduate requirements:

  • A statement of academic purpose (SOP)

  • Applicants must have a list of all their prior colleges or universities, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. However, unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with the applicant's application.

  • Three letters of recommendation, the university also  reserve the right to verify the authenticity of any and all letters of recommendation

  • Applicants must submit their Resumes and CV 

  • A USD 155 application fee for PG applicants

  • A standardised test, although the graduate school does not have tests minimum for admission, individual departments may have minimum requirements. However, they need to give IELTS or TOEFL if the applicant is from a non-English speaking native country. However, there are other standardised examinations, such as GRE and GMAT, which are compulsory, however, might vary depending on the course the applicant chooses







UC Merced
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Hispanic

55%

Asian

21%

Others

18%

Black

4%

UG Student residence

In state

99%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

97%

25 and over

2%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

29920
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

67
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

8343
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

760

College comparison

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Compare UC Merced with other similar colleges

MS
B.Sc.
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 13.46 L - 25.8 L#57 US News, 2026
INR 15.52 L - 27.11 L#158 US News, 2026
INR 17.42 L - 20.1 L#222 US News, 2026
INR 11.03 L - 13.23 L#1001 THE, 2026
INR 20.9 L - 25.12 L -/-
INR 11.47 L - 15.96 L#232 US News, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

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University of California Merced Campus Life

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UC Merced 
FAQs

Q:   Is the University of California Merced good for international students?
A: 

The University of California Merced is one of the finest institution of higher education in the United States. Its campus offers a very diverse and culturally vibrant environment for international students. The University of California Merced priorities comfort its international students at its campus. As per THE World University Rankings 2023, UC Merced has 10% international students out of the total students.

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UC Merced

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 10 months ago

To enroll students at University of California Merced the institution selects students who exhibit persistent academic success together with leadership characteristics and volunteer community work. Freshman applicants who attend the University of California Merced usually maintain an average GPA of

...Read more

K

Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

Yes, the University of California Merced offer a variety of meal plans for international students. Actually, all students living on-campus of UC Merced are required to have a meal plan. Check below the UC Merced meal plans for international students:

Unlimited Meal Plan NameTotal Cost per Semester
Unlimited 85USD 2,710/INR 2.25 L
Unlimited 250USD 2,875/INR 2.40 L
Unlimited 400USD 3,025/INR 2.50 L
Unlimited 500USD 3,125/INR 2.60 L
Unlimited 600USD 3,225/INR 2.70 L

*USD/INR = 83.30

43282603
Anurag Pal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

University of California Merced and University of California Riverside are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees

...Read more

53480137
sneha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

UC Merced and UC Davis  are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of UC Merced and UC Davis .

...Read more

53480137
sneha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

It totally depends on the convenience of the applicants. As UC Merced and San Diego State University for Masters in CS  are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universit

...Read more

53480137
sneha

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Anushree Sinha

Study Abroad Expert

Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio
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UC Merced
Location

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University CityMerced, California, USA

UC Merced
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
University of California-Merced CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

5200 Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343, United States

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UC Merced
Contact Information

Address

5200 Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95343, United States
Merced ( California)

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