The history of UC Merced dates back to 1988, when the UC Regents Opens a New Window.first authorized planning for at least one additional campus based on projections of long-range enrollment demand. From an initial review of more than 80 sites in the San Joaquin Valley, 20 were initially advanced for additional study.
UC Merced’s three schools - the School of Engineering Opens a New Window., School of Natural Sciences Opens a New Window., and School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Opens a New Window. - offer undergraduate and graduate programs, resources and laboratories that enrich students’ educational experiences.
Just like at other UC campuses, academic research is a critical part of UC Merced's mission. The process of discovery provides our students with a deeper understanding of the world and its cultural, social, natural and engineered systems, but more, it solves issues and challenges that are critical to the growth, health and overall well-being of the region, the state, nation and world.Our researchers are conducting groundbreaking work in diabetes, cancer, bacterial diseases, antibiotic resistance, solar energy, climate change, water quality and availability, ecology, engineering, archeology, cultures, history, political science, computer science and much, much more.
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Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 501 | 501 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 24 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 698 | 763 | 739 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
The Office of Student Life is here to encourage involvement in campus life, support student initiatives and serve as a primary liaison for students. Education happens both inside and outside the classroom and a successful college career includes social as well as intellectual development. Invest in your own success by getting involved!
In keeping with the University’s mission of teaching, research and service, the mission of the UC Merced Library is to achieve excellence by meeting the diverse research, teaching and public service needs of UC Merced researchers (students, faculty and staff) with targeted, quality collections and relevant services.
The primary mission of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at UC Merced is to provide students, faculty, and staff high quality infrastructure, support, and innovation in the delivery of information technology products and services.
The Health Care Facilitator Program can assist you with:
UC Merced students have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help create the student life experience for those who will follow. They are invited to add to campus traditions, create new student organizations and activities, and offer ideas on student services, planning priorities and university growth and development.
UC Merced’s Athletics Opens a New Window. and Recreation Opens a New Window. program offers an abundant assortment of activities to develop the body, from group fitness classes and sports clubs to intramural sports and outdoor activities.
UC Merced was granted Initial Accreditation in July 2011 for a seven year period, the maximum term possible for a newly accredited institution. This achievement confirms our educational effectiveness as demonstrated through a comprehensive, multi-year review process. Most importantly, it reflects the dedication of our faculty, students, and staff to pursuing excellence in our mission of teaching, research, and service.
Based on 4 reviews
The campus is really nice, and it's well lit at night, which definitely helps you feel safer walking around. The food has had its ups and downs, but honestly, it's pretty decent most of the time.
The first year was amazing as they brushed up my basic in art. I learned how to sketch properly, cast lighting, coloring, and much more. The second year was more into design. I learned a lot of things. But at the same time, I felt like the professor wasn't that active as he took more than 30 minutes break in our only 3 hours lessons, 4 days a week. So here, in the Erasmus internship, I'm hoping to learn further and eventually get hired whilst experiencing Spain.
It's a good college overall , they don't have campus placements but thy participate in rookies , the global game jam competitions and also help you out personally with your problem.
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