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Merced College, located in the heart of California's Central Valley, provides a pathway to higher education that could be the next step in your academic and career journey. By offering a wide range of programs as associate degrees and in career technical education, the college caters to diverse educational goals. Whether you're a first-time college student or returning for further education, Merced College's commitment to accessible and affordable learning stands out, with opportunities for free tuition for new students.


Overview of Merced College


Navigating the enrollment process at Merced College is designed to be simple. The college lays out a step-by-step guide to help you through the initial procedures such as the Placement Questionnaire, New Student Orientation, and scheduling meetings with counselors. These resources are geared toward empowering you to register for classes and start your educational pursuits effectively.

Exploration of different fields of study is encouraged, with Merced College offering degrees and certificates in various areas such as accounting, agriculture, biology, computer science, and nursing. The flexibility of course delivery is also a key emphasis, accommodating both on-campus and online learners. With such comprehensive options, you can tailor your educational experience to match your personal and professional needs.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting City: Small
Campus Housing No
Student Faculty Ratio 25:1
Graduation Rate 29%
Year Founded 1962

Student Enrollment


Total Students10,214

Undergraduate
10,214
Graduate
0

Undergraduate Student

Male 4,086
4,086
Female 6,128
6,128

Graduate Student

Male 0
0
Female 0
0

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Merced College Acceptance Rate and Admissions


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Admissions
Application Fee N/A
High School GPA N/A
High School Rank N/A
High School Transcripts N/A
College Prep Courses N/A
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SAT/ACT N/A
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) N/A
Application Deadline N/A
Common Application Accepted N/A

Merced College Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


Attending Merced College comes with certain costs, but you have various options to manage your educational expenses. First-year, undergraduate tuition cost an average of $1,194 for in-state students in the 2023-24 academic year. For out-of-state students, the costs were an average of $8,154, still well below the cost of many other institutions.

There are also a number of fees, as shown below:

  • Student Body Fee: $10.00 for Fall and Spring Semesters; no fee during Summer Semester.
  • Transportation Fee: $9.95 if you're enrolled in 12 units or more; $6.95 if enrolled in less than 12 units.
  • Parking Fee: $30 for automobiles during Fall and Spring Semesters.

There are also other costs to consider such as books and supplies ($938), off-campus housing ($19,431), and other expenses ($6,192).

In terms of financial aid, Merced College offers several forms of assistance to help cover tuition costs:

  • Federal Aid: Includes grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
  • State Aid: Such as the California College Promise Grant, which waives certain fees for eligible students.
  • Scholarships: Offered through the Merced College Foundation.
  • Waivers: For those meeting in-state tuition requirements and enrolled in 12 or more units.

You can contact the Financial Aid Office for personalized guidance or visit their section on the Merced College website to access detailed information and resources, ensuring that you are informed about the financial aspect of your education.

Average net price 2021-2022
Net Price $6,934
Average Total Aid -
Students Receiving Financial Aid 95%
Room & Board $19,431

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $1,194
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $8,154
  • Books and Supplies - $938
  • Room & Board - $19,431
  • Other - $6,192

Popular Academic Programs at Merced College


Merced College offers an extensive array of programs that cater to a diverse range of academic interests and career goals. You'll find that Merced College specializes in providing associate degrees, preparing you for various careers or further education. With 81 distinct undergraduate degrees concentrated into 67 majors across 30 broad fields of study, your academic and professional pursuits are supported with a comprehensive curriculum. The most popular offerings are in biology/biological sciences, research and experimental psychology, computer engineering, and business administration and management.

Merced College recognizes the importance of flexibility in education, adapting to technological advances by offering courses online. Despite this, as of the latest information, none of the awards conferred by the college in the 2019-2020 academic year were for degrees completed exclusively online. This highlights a focus on traditional, on-campus education while also catering to the evolving needs of students.

Student Population Total


Student Population 10,214

Undergraduate
10,214
Graduate
0
Evening Classes : Yes
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Majors N/A

Outcome & Salary


As a graduate of Merced College, your potential career outcomes and salary can vary based on your field of study and degree. It's important to review the facts that paint a picture of what you might expect after completing your education here.

After enrolling at Merced College, if you are entering the workforce and not pursuing further schooling, the average income 10 years post-enrollment stands at $30,300 which is 12% below the national median. Even so, when focusing on graduate outcomes at Merced College, the data suggests a positive outlook. Most notably, the college boasts a Salary Score of 86 based on alumni earnings for associate degrees. In particular fields, like Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, the outcomes are impressive, with 100% employment and an average salary of $81,700.

Therefore, it’s evident that your degree value and associated salaries upon graduation can be significant, especially in specialized programs.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $50,900
College Grads Average Salary $71,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $77,300
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $710,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,483,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $27,736
10 Year Projected ROI $682,264
20 Year Projected ROI $1,455,264
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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