University of California-Merced ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$56,668
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$13,475/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
376%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of California-Merced has an in-state tuition of $14,167. One year after graduation, alumni earn $39,692. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $48,475, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $64,368. The median debt for students is $16,144, and 31.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. For University of California-Merced graduates, this ratio is approximately 0.41.
To calculate the break-even timeline, the median debt is divided by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,167
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,144
Median Earnings (5yr)
$48,475
Graduation Rate
68%
Receive Financial Aid
32%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | $52,891 | 531% |
| Psychology, General | $43,278 | 192% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,183 | 612% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,386 | 1431% |
| Computer Engineering | $80,693 | 1513% |
| Public Health | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology | $42,087 | 150% |
| Political Science and Government | $52,020 | 501% |
| Cognitive Science | $47,142 | 329% |
| Chemistry | $56,584 | 662% |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $82,725 | 1584% |
| Applied Mathematics | $65,623 | 981% |
Peer Comparison
376%
20yr ROI
698%
20yr ROI
799%
20yr ROI
858%
20yr ROI
863%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.