University of California-Merced
Merced, California
University of California-Merced is a public institution in Merced, California with 8,372 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $14,167 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 69.2%, median earnings of $64,368, and median federal debt of $16,144.
$14,167 is higher than the state average of $10,571.
69.2% is higher than the state average of 55.0%.
$64,368 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About University of California-Merced
| Location | Merced, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | ucmerced.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $14,167 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $44,944 |
| Total Enrollment | 8,372 |
| Acceptance Rate | 39.2% |
| Graduation Rate | 69.2% |
| Retention Rate | 83.1% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $64,368 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,144 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $171 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 59.0% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 31.4% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
59.0% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 31.4% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at University of California-Merced depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $56,668, while the reported median debt is $16,144 with an estimated monthly payment of $171. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Hispanic students (57.7%), followed by Asian students (22.4%) and White students (8.9%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($64,368) divided by median debt ($16,144)