University of California-Merced ★ Hidden gem
Merced, California · Public · 8,372 undergraduates
All 16 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr). Another 55 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $7,945 |
| $30k to $48k | $8,465 |
| $48k to $75k | $11,557 |
| $75k to $110k | $14,828 |
| $110k and up | $28,734 |
| All families (average) | $11,983 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $59,249 | +$22,273 | clears the bar | $18,000 | 0.8 yrs |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | $102,575 | +$65,599 | clears the bar | $19,003 | 0.3 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $68,277 | +$31,301 | clears the bar | $16,000 | 0.5 yrs |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | $95,040 | +$58,064 | clears the bar | $18,498 | 0.3 yrs |
| Public Health | Bachelor's Degree | $56,393 | +$19,417 | clears the bar | $15,250 | 0.8 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $53,143 | +$16,167 | clears the bar | $16,500 | 1 yr |
| Political Science and Government | Bachelor's Degree | $62,815 | +$25,839 | clears the bar | $17,132 | 0.7 yrs |
| Sociology | Bachelor's Degree | $50,468 | +$13,492 | clears the bar | $17,500 | 1.3 yrs |
| Cognitive Science | Bachelor's Degree | $51,147 | +$14,171 | clears the bar | $20,105 | 1.4 yrs |
| Chemistry | Bachelor's Degree | $56,888 | +$19,912 | clears the bar | $14,500 | 0.7 yrs |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | $88,795 | +$51,819 | clears the bar | $20,816 | 0.4 yrs |
| Applied Mathematics | Bachelor's Degree | $82,156 | +$45,180 | clears the bar | $15,500 | 0.3 yrs |
| English Language and Literature, General | Bachelor's Degree | $58,623 | +$21,647 | clears the bar | $24,000 | 1.1 yrs |
| Economics | Bachelor's Degree | $67,692 | +$30,716 | clears the bar | $19,303 | 0.6 yrs |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | $83,007 | +$46,031 | clears the bar | $20,619 | 0.4 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 16 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 59% of students receive Pell grants · 69% 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.