University of California, Merced
Acceptance Rate Trend
SAT Score Range Trend
(middle 50% of admitted students)
| Year | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 950 | 1140 |
| 2018 | 990 | 1180 |
| 2019 | 1000 | 1190 |
| 2020 | 1030 | 1350 |
| 2021 | 1140 | 1390 |
Application Timeline
Application Methods
👍 Great Fit If You Are:
Pioneering spirits
if you want to help shape a university’s culture, programs, and identity, Merced gives you that seat at the table.
First-gen achievers
if you’re the first in your family to attend college and want real support, Merced is built with you in mind.
STEM impact seekers
if you care about climate, public health, or life sciences in underserved communities, this school aligns.
Small-campus lovers
if you want UC-level research with small class sizes and faculty access, this is rare value.
Socially conscious builders
if equity, access, and sustainability matter to you, Merced’s mission matches yours.
🚨 Not Ideal For:
Prestige chasers
UC Merced is growing but doesn’t carry the brand weight of UCLA or Berkeley (yet).
Big-city lovers
Merced is quiet, rural-adjacent, and slower-paced; it’s not LA or SF.
Traditionalists
if you want a school with centuries-old traditions and legacy culture, this is still forming its own.
Luxury seekers
the campus is modern and improving, but still developing its facilities and ecosystem.
Hyper-competitive students
this is a collaborative, access-driven place, not an elitist environment.
☀️ Weather & Climate
spring
55-75°F (13-24°C)
Mild and wet
summer
80-100°F (27-38°C)
Hot and dry
fall
60-90°F (16-32°C)
Warm and dry
winter
40-60°F (4-15°C)
Cool and wet
Cold semi‑arid climate (Köppen BSk) with very hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
☀️Average 260 sunny days per year
👩🎓👨🎓 Demographics
Gender Ratio
Ethnic Distribution
📚 Popular Majors
Campus Area Dining
Nearby Areas
Historic downtown with local eateries and shops
Residential area with casual dining