Merced College
About Merced College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Merced College teaches in the San Joaquin Valley and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution serving one of the most agricultural counties in the country. Psychology, the social sciences and business are its largest programs.
Founded
1962
Location
Merced, California
Students
10,001
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
35.7%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,200
Out-of-state: $8,520
Avg Net Price
$5,040
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$37,815
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
35.7% complete their degree within three years
Retention
63.3%
Transfer Out
5%
Teaching Quality
27:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
35.8%
$/Student
$6.0K
Class Size
Large
The 35.7% graduation rate is below average, but 63.3% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,200
In-State
$8,520
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$938
Total Cost of Attendance
$14,485
After Financial Aid
$5,040
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$4,155
Receive Grants
37.5%
Take Loans
0.8%
Tuition is $1,200/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $5,040.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Merced College fund their education.
While in School
37.5%
Get Grants
Free money
0.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$18,008
Median Family Income
After Graduation
N/A
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Merced College.
Gender
58.5%
Female
42%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
10,001
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
59.4%
First-Gen
22 yrs
Avg Age
29.6%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 59% of the student body. 59.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
10,001
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
No
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Merced College fields 9 varsity teams with 287 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
9
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
287
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
63% / 37%
182
Men
105
Women
7
Men's Teams
7
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Merced Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$37,815
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Psychology, General
$34K
328 grads
1yr Earnings
Social Sciences, General
$34K
188 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$50K
102 grads
4yr Earnings
Sociology
$41K
92 grads
4yr Earnings
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
—
74 grads
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$31K
72 grads
1yr Earnings
Median earnings are $38K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merced College
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.