Overview
For Students
For Professionals
profile logo default

University of California, Merced

Ranked
Merced, United States
401–500th in World University Rankings 2025
  • About
  • Rankings
  • Impact Rankings
  • Key stats
  • Jobs
  • Subjects
  • Downloads
  • FAQs
  • Suggested universities
chevron up

About

Basic information and contact details for the University of California, Merced

institution

University of California, Merced (UC Merced or UCM) opened in 2005 as the first American research university of the 21st Century. Its campus, which sits northeast of the city of Merced in San Joaquin Valley in California’s Central Valley, is the 10th of the University of California campuses.

Bounded by Lake Yosemite on one side, the campus has made a Triple Net Zero Commitment that intends to see zero net landfill waste and zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. All UC Merced buildings are certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED) green building certification programme.

In 2018, the undergraduate population was 53 per cent Latin students, closely mirroring the demographics of California, the US’ most diverse state. Nearly three quarters of students were the first in their families to attend college and almost none were from other states or countries.

There are three undergraduate schools: engineering; natural sciences and social sciences; humanities and arts. The school of medicine and school are management are in planning stages.

First Lady Michelle Obama gave the commencement address for the university’s first full graduating class.

UC Merced academic terms operate on a two-part semester system rather than the quarter system that most other UC campuses use.

Special research institutes and centres at the university include the Health Sciences Research Institute, the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, the University of California Advanced Solar Technologies Institute (UC Solar), UC Water, Blum Center, Center of Excellence on Health Disparities and the Center for the Humanities.

chevron up

Rankings

Select the type of rankings below to see stats

chevron down

Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of California, Merced

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
48 F : 52 M (1)
globe fill
International student percentage
8% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
19.7 (1)
student
Student total
9011 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

lightbulb up

Do you work for this institution?

Build your profile to connect with students and professionals around the world

chevron down
chevron down

Subjects Taught at the University of California, Merced

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of California, Merced

Life Sciences251–300th

  • Biological Sciences

Engineering401–500th

  • General Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Social Sciences301–400th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies

Psychology251–300th

  • Psychology

Physical Sciences401–500th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Explore our featured universities

Find out more about studying, research and jobs at these universities

the colour logo

suggested