Merced's tuition & fees has increased from $6,133 (2015) to $8,520 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 38.92% over the past 10 years.
Merced's tuition increase rate is higher than the California's average increase rate of 14.58%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 54.23% from 2015 ($22,747).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Merced's COA is $35,082, which is increased by 1.06% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Merced's COA over the past 10 years.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2015-16 | - | - | $17,755 | $22,747 | - |
| 2016-17 | - | - | $17,764 | $22,756 | 0.04% |
| 2017-18 | - | - | $17,764 | $22,756 | |
| 2018-19 | - | - | $17,764 | $22,756 | |
| 2019-20 | - | - | $23,487 | $28,647 | 25.89% |
| 2020-21 | - | - | $23,509 | $28,669 | 0.08% |
| 2021-22 | - | - | $24,319 | $30,583 | 6.68% |
| 2022-23 | - | - | $24,990 | $31,686 | 3.61% |
| 2023-24 | - | - | $27,755 | $34,715 | 9.56% |
| 2024-25 | - | - | $27,762 | $35,082 | 1.06% |
The tuition & fees have increased 38.92% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $8,424. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Merced College over last the 10 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Change By Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2015-16 | $1,141 | $6,133 | - |
| 2016-17 | $1,150 | $6,142 | 0.15% |
| 2017-18 | $1,150 | $6,142 | |
| 2018-19 | $1,150 | $6,142 | |
| 2019-20 | $1,158 | $6,318 | 2.87% |
| 2020-21 | $1,180 | $6,340 | 0.35% |
| 2021-22 | $1,180 | $7,444 | 17.41% |
| 2022-23 | $1,194 | $7,890 | 5.99% |
| 2023-24 | $1,194 | $8,154 | 3.35% |
| 2024-25 | $1,200 | $8,520 | 4.49% |
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $938, and it has decreased -42.74% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,638 | - |
| 2016-17 | $1,638 | |
| 2017-18 | $1,638 | |
| 2018-19 | $1,638 | |
| 2019-20 | $1,971 | 20.33% |
| 2020-21 | $1,971 | |
| 2021-22 | $1,125 | -42.92% |
| 2022-23 | $1,152 | 2.40% |
| 2023-24 | $938 | -18.58% |
| 2024-25 | $938 |
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 49.22% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Merced College.
| Year | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $14,976 | - |
| 2016-17 | $14,976 | |
| 2017-18 | $14,976 | |
| 2018-19 | $14,976 | |
| 2019-20 | $20,358 | 35.94% |
| 2020-21 | $20,358 | |
| 2021-22 | $22,014 | 8.13% |
| 2022-23 | $22,644 | 2.86% |
| 2023-24 | $25,623 | 13.16% |
| 2024-25 | $25,624 | 0.00% |
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Merced College and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | $8,520 ($1,200) | $8,154 ($1,194) | 4.49% |
| American River College | $12,616 ($1,288) | $12,808 ($1,288) | -1.50% |
| Mt San Antonio College | $10,464 ($1,364) | $10,212 ($1,364) | 2.47% |
| Long Beach City College | $12,544 ($1,556) | $11,440 ($1,556) | 9.65% |
| Pasadena City College | $10,924 ($1,180) | $10,756 ($1,180) | 1.56% |
| Chaffey College | $11,120 ($1,184) | $11,120 ($1,184) | - |
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