2026 Rankings for University of California-Merced

What ranking badges has UC Merced been awarded? All of the ranking badges and placements UC Merced holds are detailed on this page.

UC Merced received 8 ranking badges in the 2026 analysis.

Top Rankings for UC Merced:



#2 out of 14	#40 out of 1,115	#47 out of 1,060	#47 out of 1,035

UC Merced has graduate offerings as well. View its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/university-of-california-merced/rankings/) for its graduate rankings.

How UC Merced Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

#316 Best Colleges

#55 Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools

#58 Best General Biology Schools

Honorable Mention in Best Colleges Ranking

#316 out of 3,449.

This makes UC Merced a top 20% school for students.

The Best Colleges Ranking was created to help students find the best quality colleges in the U.S.

Top Ranked Majors

UC Merced has 300 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	5	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in California	4	7	View Report
Best Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	7	View Report
Best Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	6	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	4	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	10	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	11	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in California	5	10	View Report
Best Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	13	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	14	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in California	5	13	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	14	View Report
Best Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	17	View Report
Best Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Schools in California	7	12	View Report
Best General Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	7	8	View Report
Best Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	7	8	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Schools	7	18	View Report
Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	7	14	View Report
Best Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	16	View Report
Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	21	View Report
Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in California	8	20	View Report
Best General Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	12	View Report
Best Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	12	View Report
Best General Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	9	11	View Report
Best General Applied Mathematics Schools in California	9	11	View Report
Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Far Western US Region	9	27	View Report
Best General Environmental Engineering Schools in California	10	11	View Report
Best Environmental Engineering Schools in California	10	11	View Report
Best General Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	10	13	View Report
Best General Applied Mathematics Schools in the Far Western US Region	10	13	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	63	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	108	View Report
Best General Materials Engineering Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Materials Engineering Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	13	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Schools in California	11	11	View Report
Best Cognitive Science Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	11	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools	12	46	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in California	12	143	View Report
Best General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	12	15	View Report
Best Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	12	15	View Report
Best Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	12	15	View Report
Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	12	14	View Report
Best Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	199	View Report
Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	13	View Report
Best Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	13	13	View Report
Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California	13	15	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	14	61	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in California	14	136	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	14	62	View Report
Best General Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	14	19	View Report
Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	14	25	View Report
Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	14	16	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in California	15	141	View Report
Best Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in California	15	26	View Report
Best Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	15	16	View Report
Best Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	15	16	View Report
Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	15	27	View Report
Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California	15	17	View Report
Best Biology Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	101	View Report
Best Biology Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	185	View Report
Best General Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	103	View Report
Best Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	36	View Report
Best General Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	31	View Report
Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	16	23	View Report
Best Applied Mathematics Schools in California	16	18	View Report
Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	17	29	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools	18	66	View Report
Best General Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region	18	192	View Report
Best Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in California	18	19	View Report
Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in California	18	19	View Report
Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	18	31	View Report
Best Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	19	20	View Report
Best Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	19	20	View Report
Best General Public Health Schools in California	19	31	View Report
Best Applied Mathematics Schools in the Far Western US Region	19	23	View Report
Best Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	19	74	View Report
Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	20	40	View Report
Best Psychology Schools in California	20	194	View Report
Best General Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	21	23	View Report
Best General Public Health Schools in the Far Western US Region	21	47	View Report
Best Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	21	121	View Report
Best Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	22	23	View Report
Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	22	23	View Report
Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California	22	24	View Report
Best Public Health Schools in California	22	38	View Report
Best General Physics Schools in California	22	79	View Report
Best Psychology Schools in the Far Western US Region	22	247	View Report
Best Anthropology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	22	28	View Report
Best Anthropology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	22	28	View Report
Best Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	23	27	View Report
Best General Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region	23	91	View Report
Best Physics Schools in California	23	81	View Report

How UC Merced Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

UC Merced has 300 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Other Chemistry Schools in the Far Western US Region Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in California	2	8	View Report
Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	12	View Report
Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in California	2	10	View Report
Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	14	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	5	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	7	View Report
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	6	View Report
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	8	View Report
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	12	View Report
Best Value Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	8	View Report
Best Value Environmental Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	12	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Schools in California	2	6	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	6	View Report
Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools	3	63	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Schools in California	3	13	View Report
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	13	View Report
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	15	View Report
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	15	View Report
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	13	View Report
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	13	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	15	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	14	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	21	View Report
Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools	4	50	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	18	View Report
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	13	View Report
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	13	View Report
Best Value Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	13	View Report
Best Value Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	15	View Report
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	22	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in California	4	13	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	17	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools	4	160	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in California	4	16	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	23	View Report
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in California	5	17	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Bachelor's Degree Schools	5	109	View Report
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in California	6	25	View Report
Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	6	16	View Report
Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in California	6	18	View Report
Best Value Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	6	16	View Report
Best Value Biomedical Engineering Schools in California	6	18	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in California	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in California	6	11	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Far Western US Region	6	11	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools	7	83	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Schools	7	45	View Report
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools	7	118	View Report
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools	7	181	View Report
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	35	View Report
Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	20	View Report
Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	22	View Report
Best Value Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	20	View Report
Best Value Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	8	22	View Report
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	15	View Report
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California	8	16	View Report
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	8	16	View Report
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California	8	17	View Report
Best Value Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Schools	10	169	View Report
Best Value General Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	10	19	View Report
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	10	28	View Report
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	10	29	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	29	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California	11	29	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	29	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in California	11	29	View Report
Best Value Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	11	23	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools	11	37	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools	11	37	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor's Degree Schools	11	37	View Report
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools	11	37	View Report
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	30	View Report
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	11	31	View Report
Best Value General Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	12	24	View Report
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California	12	25	View Report
Best Value General Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	12	31	View Report
Best Value General Applied Mathematics Bachelor's Degree Schools	12	52	View Report
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Bachelor's Degree Schools	13	148	View Report
Best Value General Public Health Schools in California	13	29	View Report
Best Value Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	14	27	View Report
Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in California	14	28	View Report
Best Value Public Health Schools in California	14	33	View Report
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools	15	56	View Report
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools	15	56	View Report
Best Value General Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	15	32	View Report
Best Value Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	15	32	View Report
Best Value General Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	32	View Report
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	16	33	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

These rankings are built on federal education data, 2026 edition.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.