Merced College
Merced, California · Public · 10,001 undergraduates
Of 12 programs with reported earnings, 11 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 94 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $4,155 |
| $30k to $48k | $4,862 |
| $48k to $75k | $5,562 |
| $75k to $110k | $9,933 |
| $110k and up | $10,902 |
| All families (average) | $5,040 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $39,525 | +$2,549 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology, General | Associate's Degree | $37,188 | +$212 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | Associate's Degree | $41,246 | +$4,270 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Associate's Degree | $49,768 | +$12,792 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | Associate's Degree | $41,486 | +$4,510 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $57,587 | +$20,611 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Associate's Degree | $45,151 | +$8,175 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Precision Metal Working | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $44,926 | +$7,950 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate's Degree | $118,723 | +$81,747 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $90,335 | +$53,359 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate's Degree | $59,178 | +$22,202 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Associate's Degree | $31,345 | -$5,631 | falls short | n/a | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 38% of students receive Pell grants · 36% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.