University of California, Merced
The University of California, Merced is the newest UC campus, opened in 2005 in the San Joaquin Valley city of Merced, and a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution that has become a national leader in economic mobility. It enrolls roughly 8,300 undergraduates — more than half Hispanic and a large share first-generation — and admits about 89% of its nearly 29,000 first-year applicants, making it the most accessible University of California campus. Like all UC campuses, UC Merced is test-free, reviewing applications without SAT or ACT scores, and its enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA near 3.64. Engineering is the single most popular field of study, followed by the social sciences, psychology, and the life sciences. The figures below are drawn directly from UC Merced's official Common Data Set.
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UC Merced admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
UC Merced does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
UC Merced is test-free — SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admissions.
SAT / ACT scores are not used
UC Merced does not review SAT or ACT scores for admission, even if you submit them. Applicants are evaluated on GPA, coursework, essays, and activities instead.
Admissions Factors
How UC Merced weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UC Merced's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $32,574 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UC Merced admissions
Is it hard to get into UC Merced?＋
No — UC Merced is the most accessible University of California campus, admitting about 89.5% of applicants in the most recent reported cycle. It received nearly 29,000 first-year applications and enrolled around 2,400 first-years. There is no test requirement, and admission turns mainly on the rigor of your coursework and your academic GPA.
What is UC Merced's acceptance rate?＋
UC Merced admitted about 89.5% of first-year applicants in the most recent reported cycle, from a pool of nearly 29,000 applications, enrolling roughly 2,400 students. That makes it the most accessible UC campus.
What GPA do you need to get into UC Merced?＋
Admitted first-year students at UC Merced report an average high school GPA of about 3.64. There is no hard cutoff, and because UC Merced is test-free, the rigor of your high school record and your academic GPA carry the most weight — both are rated very important in the review.
Does UC Merced require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. Like all University of California campuses, UC Merced is test-free and does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them. Standardized test scores are listed as 'not considered,' so your application is reviewed entirely without them.
What are my chances of getting into UC Merced from out of state?＋
Your odds are still very good — UC Merced admitted 83.9% of domestic out-of-state applicants in Fall 2025, compared with 96.3% for California residents and 80.0% for international students. The gap reflects UC Merced's mission as a California public, but at these rates the campus is genuinely accessible to non-residents. State residency is listed as a considered factor, not a very important one, so a strong academic record and well-written Personal Insight Questions remain the core of any application.
How much does UC Merced cost for in-state vs. out-of-state students?＋
Annual tuition and required fees are about $13,752 for California residents and $46,326 for out-of-state and international students, with on-campus room and board adding roughly $19,300 per year. About 77% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average package near $28,397, and UC Merced meets about 84% of demonstrated need.
Do the UC essays matter at UC Merced?＋
Yes — the application essay is rated a very important factor in UC Merced's review, on par with your GPA and the rigor of your record. Because UC Merced is test-free, your Personal Insight Question responses are one of the few places to distinguish yourself, so specific, well-revised answers carry real weight.
What are the most popular majors at UC Merced?＋
Engineering is the single most popular field at about 25% of bachelor's degrees. The social sciences and psychology are the largest area overall at roughly 28%, followed by the biological and life sciences at about 17%. Business and a range of arts and humanities programs round out the rest of the student body.
Source: University of California, Merced Common Data Set 2022-2023. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UC Merced. Banner photo by Qymekkam, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).