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Annual Expenses

UC Merced graduates celebrating commencement.

Graduate early or on-time by attending Summer Session!

Do the Math: Taking Summer Session Classes Can Save You Money!

The average cost to attend fall and spring semesters is approximately $27,000* per year — more if you live on campus and less if you live at home.  

Taking two classes in Summer Session costs approximately $3,540** in fees.

What does that mean to students? 

Taking two courses in Summer Session for two years costs about $7,080. Taking an extra year (fifth year) to graduate costs about $27,000.

Which would you rather pay: $7,080 for two summers or $27,000 for a fifth year?

Out-of-pocket cost of attendance varies from student to student. Please utilize the Financial Aid Calculator to help identify your individual out-of-pocket costs.

Annual Expense Chart

The following chart is based on the cost of attendance information from UC Merced’s 2015-2016 General Catalog. Fees are for California resident undergraduate student enrollment.

The Student Assumption column demonstrates the cost of attendance for one student living on campus for his or her first academic year and living off-campus for the remainder of his or her time at UC Merced.

The 10-month annual expense row demonstrates cost for students attending the regular academic year.

Annual expenses are calculated for 12 months because many students have 12-month rental leases and pay rent even if they don’t enroll in Summer Session.

On-campus housing is a bargain in the summer — check it out! 

9 month
On-Campus Off-Campus At Home
10 Month Expense (including fees)* $34,832 $27,014 $25,179
Fees $13,208 $13,208 $13,208
10 Month Expense (w/out fees) $21,624 $13,806 $11,971
12 Month Expense (w/out fees) $23,537 $16,567 $14,365
Annual Expense (w/ 2 semesters NO Summer Session) $34,832 $29,775 $27,573
Summer Session (cost of attendance for 8 units and fees)** $3,539 $3,539 $3,539
Annual Expense (w/ 2 semesters and Summer Session)*** $40,284 $33,314 $31,112

4 Year:

This section demonstrates the cost of attendance for students who attend for four years, including attending one or two Summer Sessions (enrolled in eight units).

4 year
On-Campus Off-Campus At Home Student Assumption
4 years - no Summer Session $139,328 $116,340 $107,899 $121,396
4 years - 1 Summer Session $144,780 $119,879 $111,438 $124,936
4 years - 2 Summer Sessions $150,232 $123,418 $114,977 $128,475

5 Year:

This section demonstrates the cost of attendance for students who attend UC Merced for five years, including attending one or two Summer Sessions (enrolled in eight units). It costs less to graduate in four years including two Summer Sessions than it costs to graduate in five years with no Summer Session!

5 year
On-Campus Off-Campus At Home Student Assumption
5 years - no Summer Session $174,160 $146,115 $135,472 $151,172
5 years - 1 Summer Session $179,612 $149,654 $139,011 $154,711
5 years - 2 Summer Sessions $185,064 $153,193 $142,550 $158,250

 

* 10-month expense per the 2015/16 UC Merced Catalog

** Summer Session Fees for 2015

***For the on-campus annual expense (with two semesters and Summer Session) the median cost of Summer housing is added to the 10-month expense.

-For multi-year calculations inclusive of Summer Session attendance, it is assumed that the Summer Session classes are taken in year two and/or three.