Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate and includes all expenses to attend the university for one year, not only expenses paid directly to UC Merced (also referred to as direct costs). The COA includes tuition/fees, books and supplies, food and housing, personal expenses, transportation expenses, and a health insurance allowance and varies depending on whether you live on-campus, off-campus or at home with relatives. The amounts reflected in the COA are averages determined annually based on statistical data from a variety of sources including periodic surveys of UC Merced students. These amounts are intended to provide sufficient funds to pay for educational expenses for most students in most circumstances. Your actual expenses may be different and most items are not paid directly to the university.
 

Listed below are the standard costs of attendance for the year 2026-2027 for undergraduate students:

Undergraduates who first enrolled in Fall 2026
  On-Campus Off-Campus At Home
Fees $16,986 $16,986 $16,986
Food & Housing $23,240 $14,712 $8,618
Books & Supplies $1,108 $1,108 $1,108
Transportation $1,374 $2,810 $2,810
Personal Expenses $2,734 $2,804 $3,040
Health Insurance $2,976 $2,976 $2,976
Loan Fee $80 $80 $80
Total $48,498 $41,476 $35,618
Additional Non-Resident Tuition $39,702 $39,702 $39,702
Total with Non-Resident Tuition $88,200 $81,178 $75,320

Undergraduates who first enrolled in Fall 2025
  On-Campus Off-Campus At Home
Fees $16,322 $16,322 $16,322
Food & Housing $23,240 $14,712 $8,618
Books & Supplies $1,108 $1,108 $1,108
Transportation $1,374 $2,810 $2,810
Personal Expenses $2,734 $2,804 $3,040
Health Insurance $2,976 $2,976 $2,976
Loan Fee $80 $80 $80
Total $47,844 $40,822 $34,964
Additional Non-Resident Tuition $37,602 $37,602 $37,602
Total with Non-Resident Tuition $85,446 $78,424 $72,556
Undergraduates who first enrolled in Fall 2024
  On-Campus Off-Campus At Home
Fees $15,834 $15,834 $15,834
Food & Housing $23,240 $14,712 $8,618
Books & Supplies $1,108 $1,108 $1,108
Transportation $1,374 $2,810 $2,810
Personal Expenses $2,734 $2,804 $3,040
Health Insurance $2,976 $2,976 $2,976
Loan Fee $80 $80 $80
Total $47,346 $40,324 $34,446
Additional Non-Resident Tuition $34,200 $34,200 $34,200
Total with Non-Resident Tuition $81,546 $74,524 $68,666
Undergraduates who first enrolled in Fall 2023
  On-Campus Off-Campus At Home
Fees $15,150 $15,150 $15,150
Food & Housing $23,240 $14,712 $8,618
Books & Supplies $1,108 $1,108 $1,108
Transportation $1,374 $2,810 $2,810
Personal Expenses $2,734 $2,804 $3,040
Health Insurance $2,976 $2,976 $2,976
Loan Fee $80 $80 $80
Total $46,662 $39,640 $33,782
Additional Non-Resident Tuition $32,574 $32,574 $32,574
Total with Non-Resident Tuition $79,236 $72,214 $66,356
Teacher Preparation Program
   
Fees $10,800
Food & Housing $13,822
Books & Supplies $1,108
Transportation $2,810
Personal Expenses $2,756
Loan Fee $76
Total $31,372

 

  • We reserve the right to modify financial aid awards at any time due to changes in your financial aid eligibility, in program terms, in the amount of available funding, and/or due to coordination with other resources you receive.
  • UC Tuition remains flat for up to six years under the Tuition Stability Plan. It includes systemwide tuition (the cost of classes for California resident students), and student services fees for areas such as student government, student public transportation, and building improvements. These fees are set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year.
  • The University of California Regents mandates that all students be covered by a health insurance plan. All full and part-time undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) unless they choose to submit an online insurance waiver confirming they have comparable health coverage to the Health Center.
  • View typical housing costs near UC Merced. For more acurate off-campus rental pricing, visit the Off-Campus Housing website. 

Cost of Attendance Adjustment

It is impossible to account for every situation or all consumer choices. Students with unusual documented expenses who feel their “allowed” budget does not reflect actual costs can learn more about Cost of Attendance Appeals. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFAS) can sometimes allow a higher individualized budget. Whether additional financial aid can be provided based on the revised budget depends on the availability of funds. Since scholarship and grant assistance is limited, an increase in the budget is usually reflected in an adjustment to self-help financial aid, such as loans or Work-Study.