Having opened in 2005, University of California, Merced says it's "the first American research university of the 21st century." It offers 25 undergraduate majors and 25 minors, plus 18 graduate programs.
Because of its relative youth, UC Merced is also somewhat new to Money’s college list, first appearing in 2020. The university’s six-year graduation rate is 73%, which Money calculates is 15% higher than predicted based on the students who enroll.
The student body is diverse and largely local, with few hailing from out of state or country, and 85% of all students receive some form of financial aid.
It's clear the school is in a growth phase. Students say courses can be difficult to get into at UC Merced, but professors are helpful and engaging. Research is a priority, touching everything from renewable energy to artificial intelligence.
Despite its young age, the university already has something for everyone. Whether your passion is Dungeons and Dragons, investing or hip hop, there's a club for you. If sports are more your style, look for varsity teams in basketball, cross country, soccer and volleyball. Students can check out farmers markets and stores in the city of Merced, which is also within driving distance of San Francisco, Sacramento and Yosemite National Park.
