Public · Mostly certificates · Small city

Merced College

Merced, California. 10,001 undergraduates.

35%Graduation rate36 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$714Average net price per year96% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$43,058Median earnings 10 years after starting18% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
—Median debt at graduation

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$634
$30,000–$48,000$293
$48,001–$75,000$934
$75,001–$110,000$4,877

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,202 in-state, $8,882 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate35%71%
Return for second year63%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$35,667$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$43,058$36,576
Median debt at graduation—$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

89 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing49$114,478$120,235$9,500
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions15—$89,285—
Criminal Justice and Corrections61$29,719$51,149—
Business Administration, Management and Operations109—$45,379—
Social Sciences, General188$24,545$43,317$8,429
Psychology, General370$27,138$38,156$9,500
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services28$35,021——
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs—$32,944—$9,611
History30—$32,710—
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services74$22,432——
Agricultural Business and Management50———
Agricultural Mechanization2———
Agricultural Production Operations37———
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services1———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies1———
Communication and Media Studies24———
Graphic Communications5———
Computer and Information Sciences, General19———
Computer Science23———
Culinary Arts and Related Services1———
Engineering, General5———
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General2———
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians5———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services4———
Legal Support Services1———
English Language and Literature, General28———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities48———
Biology, General20———
Mathematics27———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness32———
Philosophy2———
Chemistry7———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences1———
Physics14———
Fire Protection5———
Human Services, General2———
Anthropology4———
Economics15———
Geography and Cartography3———
Political Science and Government8———
Sociology81———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers9———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians5———
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians1———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians10———
Precision Metal Working13———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft11———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts2———
Fine and Studio Arts21———
Music6———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General99———
Health and Medical Administrative Services25———
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants2———
Business/Commerce, General25———
Accounting and Related Services25———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations5———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations4———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in California

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Merced College cost per year?
The average net price at Merced College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $714 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Merced College graduates earn?
Former Merced College students earn a median of $43,058 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Merced College?
35% of Merced College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.