Colleges in Merced, California
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Merced, California (2 Public, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $11,389 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 61.7%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 91% of applicants.
The median net price in Merced runs about $9,323 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Merced, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$11,389
After aid
Median grad rate
61.7%
6-year
Median admission rate
91%
Median enrollment
4,366
Undergrad
All colleges in Merced
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College Merced, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $5,040 | 35.7% | Not available | 10,001 | Partial | |
| University of California-Merced Merced, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $11,983 | 68.7% | 91% | 8,372 | Complete | |
| Milan Institute-Merced Merced, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $23,396 | 54.7% | Not available | 359 | Partial | |
| Sierra College of Beauty Merced, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $10,794 | 84.4% | Not available | 220 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in Merced are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Merced CollegeNet price: $5,040Grad: 35.7%
- University of California-MercedNet price: $11,983Grad: 68.7%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Merced operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Milan Institute-MercedNet price: $23,396Grad: 54.7%
- Sierra College of BeautyNet price: $10,794Grad: 84.4%
Top programs in Merced
Most-completed programs across Merced colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Psychology14.8% of degrees
- Liberal arts13.9% of degrees
- Engineering10.5% of degrees
- Health professions9.9% of degrees
- Social sciences9.5% of degrees
- Business9.5% of degrees
- Biological sciences8.1% of degrees
- Agriculture3.0% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Merced
Q.How many colleges are in Merced, California?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Merced, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Merced?
By undergraduate enrollment, Merced College is the largest institution in Merced with roughly 10,001 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Merced?
Based on average net price after aid, Merced College is the most affordable institution in Merced at $5,040 per year.
Q.Which Merced college has the highest graduation rate?
Sierra College of Beauty reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Merced institutions at 84.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Merced?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Merced is $11,389 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Merced?
Across Merced colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Psychology, Liberal arts, Engineering.
Q.Are there community colleges in Merced?
Yes — Merced includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Merced that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.