University of California, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.