University of California-Merced — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of California-Merced charges a net price of $11,983/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $47,932. Graduates earn a median $64,368 ten years after entry, $16,008/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $272,228, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of California-Merced's 3-year payback ranks #182 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #40 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,983/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $47,932 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,368 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16,008/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $16,144 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $272,228 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of California-Merced's own numbers. Net price $11,983 × 4 years = $47,932 total. Median earnings $64,368 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16,008 a year of premium. $47,932 ÷ $16,008 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $272,228. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of California-Merced students graduate with?
A median $16,144 in federal loans among completers, or 25% of the $64,368 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of California-Merced students graduate?
69% finish their degree — 31% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $47,932 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $69,467 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of California-Merced expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $11,983 net price runs $7,922 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $31,688 less across the full degree.