UC Merced: A Demographic Portrait of the Student Body
The University of California, Merced (UC Merced), the newest campus in the UC system, has rapidly evolved since its establishment in 2005. This article delves into the demographics of UC Merced's student population, providing a comprehensive overview of diversity, enrollment trends, and academic achievements.
Geographic Diversity
UC Merced attracts students from various locations, although its geographic diversity score ranks 1,961 out of 2,183 colleges. A small percentage of students come from out of state (0.1%) and out of the country (0.1%). The undergraduate student body primarily comes from three states (may include Washington D.C.).
Age Diversity
The university demonstrates a strong ability to attract students of all ages, as reflected in its age diversity score of 59.42 out of 100. This indicates a good mix of traditional college-age students (18-21) and non-traditional students.
Enrollment Statistics
In 2023, UC Merced had a total enrollment of 9,147 students. Full-time enrollment accounted for 98.8% of the student body, with 9,033 students attending full-time and 114 part-time.
Acceptance Rate and Applications
UC Merced's undergraduate acceptance rate in 2023 was 39.2%, with 26,598 students being accepted out of 67,891 applications. This acceptance rate is lower than the 2022 rate of 89.5%. The number of applicants grew by 127% between 2022 and 2023, while admissions declined by 0.628%.
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SAT Scores
In 2020, 96% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores with their applications.
Race and Ethnicity
The enrolled student population at UC Merced is diverse, with the following breakdown:
- 54.6% Hispanic or Latino
- 21.3% Asian
- 10% White
- 4.65% Black or African American
- 4.34% Two or More Races
- 0.251% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
- 0.153% American Indian or Alaska Native
Among full-time undergraduate students, the most common demographics are Hispanic or Latino Female (30.7%), Hispanic or Latino Male (25.9%), and Asian Male (13.6%). In full-time graduate programs, the most common demographics are White Male (12.6%), Hispanic or Latino Female (10.4%), and White Female (10.1%).
Graduation Rates
In 2023, 48% of students graduated within 100% of the "normal time" (i.e., four years for a four-year degree). 72% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 73% within 200%. The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 was Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (85.7%).
Degrees Awarded
In 2023, UC Merced awarded 2,100 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs, with 53.6% awarded to women and 46.4% to men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was Hispanic or Latino (1,104 degrees), 2.72 times more than the next closest group, Asian (406 degrees). The most common bachelor's degree concentration was Other Research & Experimental Psychology, with 365 degrees awarded. In 2023, 974 degrees were awarded to men, which is 0.865 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,126).
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Most Common Majors
In 2023, the most common majors for men at UC Merced were in General Computer Engineering (184 degrees), while for women, the most common major was Other Research & Experimental Psychology (297 degrees).
Costs and Financial Aid
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at UC Merced was $11,834, which is $19,170 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). The average net price, after factoring in grants and loans, was $13,232. In 2023, 85% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 31% received financial aid through loans. The average yearly cost of room and board was $14,543, while books and supplies averaged $1,094.
Student Loan Default Rate
In 2022, the default rate for borrowers at UC Merced was 0%, representing 0 out of 1,594 total borrowers.
A Focus on Research
Academic research is a critical part of UC Merced's mission. The process of discovery provides students with a deeper understanding of the world and its cultural, social, natural, and engineered systems, and solves issues and challenges that are critical to the growth, health, and overall well-being of the region, the state, nation, and world. UC Merced has also entered into collaborative research partnerships with the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and National Park Service.
Sustainable Practices
UC Merced is committed to sustainability. The campus is the first public research university certified as carbon-neutral, and every campus building is LEED certified. The Sierra Club named UC Merced the no. 7 “Cool School” in the nation, and the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index in 2022 ranked the university no. 1 in the United States for sustainable buildings and sustainable research.
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