University of California, Merced

Merced, CA · founded 2005 · 9,000 students · public research university

Known for: The newest campus in the UC system, known for its rapid growth, strong focus on sustainability and environmental research, and commitment to serving the Central Valley region with a highly diverse student body.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #97
QS World: #701
Times Higher Education: #401
Forbes: #201

Top programmes

Environmental Engineering
Biological Sciences
Psychology
Computer Science
Social Sciences
Health Sciences

Notable alumni

Jillian Michaels — Personal trainer and television personality
Michael Tubbs — Former Mayor of Stockton and political activist
Rosa Diaz — Community organizer and advocate
Alex Padilla — U.S. Senator from California
Michele Reagan — Former Arizona Secretary of State
David Valadao — U.S. Representative from California
John Garamendi — U.S. Representative from California
Dianne Feinstein — Former U.S. Senator from California

Traditions

Bobcat Day
Spring Fest
Research Symposium
Welcome Week events

If University of California, Merced were…

As a food: Farm-to-table salad with ingredients from the Central Valley — Fresh, sustainable, locally sourced, unpretentious, and exactly what it says it is. It's nourishing and forward-thinking, even if it doesn't have the prestige of a Michelin-starred dish.
As an athlete: Stephen Curry at Davidson — Overlooked by bigger programs, went to a small school nobody expected greatness from, then revolutionized the game through innovation and hard work. Proved you don't need traditional pedigree to change everything.
As a person alive today: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — Young, progressive, from a working-class background, challenges establishment thinking, and proves that new voices from unexpected places can reshape the conversation. First-gen energy personified.
As a historical figure: Benjamin Franklin — Self-made, innovative, focused on practical solutions for public good, believed in accessible education, and built institutions from scratch when existing ones wouldn't serve the people who needed them most.
As a movie or TV show: Silicon Valley (HBO) — Scrappy startup trying to disrupt established players, located in an unglamorous part of California, full of idealistic innovators, and constantly proving doubters wrong through resourcefulness and fresh thinking.
As a US president: Barack Obama — Young, diverse, brought hope and change rhetoric, represented a new generation's values, and achieved the improbable by organizing communities that traditional institutions had overlooked.
As a city: Dubai — Built from almost nothing in record time, focused on sustainability and innovation as founding principles, serves as a hub for a diverse population, and ambitious despite skeptics questioning if it can sustain its rapid
As an element: Silicon — Foundation of modern technology and solar panels, abundant in the earth but requires processing to reach potential, and essential for building the sustainable future—just as UC Merced builds futures for underserved stude
As a car: 2023 Rivian R1T — The UC system's newest electric adventure truck launched in 2005 with sustainability baked into its DNA, engineering-forward but still finding its luxury market position. Merced's innovative research mission and Central

Campus life

UC Merced has a close-knit, collaborative campus culture due to its smaller size. Student life is growing with new organizations, events, and a focus on community engagement. The campus is residential and fosters strong peer connections.