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If you’re looking for a school that offers an interesting and diverse range of majors, UC Merced is the place for you. With over 130 majors to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular majors at UC Merced, as well as what the school is most known for. We’ll also examine capped or impacted majors at UC Merced. So whether you’re still trying to decide on a major or are just curious about what’s available, read on!
UC Merced Overview
UC Merced is a young university, having only opened its doors in 2005. Nevertheless, it has already made a name for itself as one of the country’s most innovative and sustainable campuses.
The university is built on land that was formerly an agricultural research center, and it includes a variety of features that are designed to minimize its impact on the environment.
For example, the campus features a solar power plant, a green roof, and a rainwater harvesting system. In addition, UC Merced is home to the largest LEED-certified building in the world.
The university’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its physical infrastructure; it also offers a variety of academic programs related to environmental issues.
As Merced continues to grow, it is poised to become a leading voice in the discussion of how to create a more sustainable future.
Related Reading(s)
6 Impacted Majors at UCLA you Should Know About | 2023
Capped Majors at UCSD Conclusive List | UC Admissions Dates & Deadlines 2023
11 Impacted Majors at UC Berkeley | 2022-2023 Admit Rates & Average GPA
UC Merced Student Demographics
| Ethnicity | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| African-American | 402 | 4.4% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1883 | 20.7% |
| Hispanic | 4762 | 52.3% |
| Native American | 8 | >0.1% |
| White | 887 | 9.7% |
| Nonresidents | 711 | 7.8% |
| Two or More Races | 343 | 3.8% |
| Unknown/Declined to State | 107 | 1.2% |
| Total | 9104 | 100% |
UC Merced Enrollment Totals
Merced enrolls around 9,000+ graduate and undergraduate students annually.
Types of Degrees Issued at Merced
The University of California Merced has both an undergraduate and graduate college. According to the UC Merced Center of Institutional Effectiveness, the institution awarded:
| Degree Type | # of Degrees Awarded |
| Bachelors Degree | 13,494 |
| Doctorate Degree | 501 |
| Masters Degree | 511 |
UC Merced Rankings
Merced is ranked #97 in the Top 100 of US Colleges & Universities according to the US News & World Report.
Merced is further ranked 49th in the nation according to the Washington Monthly and is ranked #5 in terms of social mobility for Merced students.
In the State of California, Merced ranks #15 and is often considered one of the bottom-level UC institutions. However, it is important to remember that Merced is still the new kid on the block when compared to the behemoths of UCLA and UC Berkeley.
UC Merced Major Offerings
In total, the University of California Merced offers 27 majors, 25 minors, and 18 graduate-level degree programs. As the campus grows, the number of majors and minors that will be offered will increase as we have seen in the past few years a significant number of additions to UC Merced Majors and Minors.
Undergraduate Majors
- Anthropology, B.A.
- Applied Mathematical Sciences, B.S.
- Bioengineering, B.S.
- Biological Sciences, B.S.
- Chemical Sciences, B.S.
- Civil Engineering, B.S.
- Cognitive Science, B.S., B.A.
- Computer Science and Engineering, B.S.
- Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.
- Environmental Systems Science, B.S.
- Economics, B.S., B.A.
- English, B.A.
- Environmental Engineering, B.S.
- Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.
- History, B.A.
- Management and Business Economics, B.S.
- Materials Sciences and Engineering, B.S.
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.
- Philosophy, B.A.
- Physics, B.S.
- Political Science, B.A.
- Psychology, B.A.
- Public Health, B.A.
- Sociology, B.A.
- Spanish, B.A.
- Sociology, B.A.
- Writing Studies, B.A.
Undergraduate Minors
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Chicano Studies
- Cognitive Science
- Community Research and Service
- Economics
- English
- Environmental Science and Sustainability
- Geospatial Technology
- Global Arts Studies Program
- History
- Management Analytics and Decision-making
- Management and Business Economics
- Natural Sciences Education
- Natural Sciences Education Minor with Teaching Credential
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Services Science
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Writing
What is UC Merced Known for Academically?
Merced, located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, is known academically for its innovative approaches to teaching and research.
As a young campus, Merced has been able to establish a close-knit community of scholars and students who are passionate about making an impact on the world.
With a focus on interdisciplinary studies, UC Merced encourages its students to explore various fields of study and collaborate across departments, resulting in groundbreaking research and impressive academic achievements.
This spirit of innovation has led to Merced being recognized as one of the top public universities in the nation, making it a destination for students seeking an exceptional academic experience.
Most Popular Majors at UC Merced
Merced is popularly known for its STEM majors (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). These majors are some of the most in-demand majors in today’s modern workforce.
The most popular majors at UC Merced are: Psychology; Public Health, Biological Sciences, Computer Science & Engineering; and Management & Business Economics
| UC Merced Major | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| Psychology | 3,168 | 2,784 | 88% |
| Public Health | 1,407 | 1,228 | 87% |
| Management & Business Economics Majors | 4,150 | 3,444 | 83% |
| Biological Sciences | 4,244 | 3,709 | 87% |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 3,486 | 2,979 | 85% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 1,385 | 1,211 | 87% |
| Applied Mathematical Sciences | 1,397 | 1,105 | 79% |
Related: 11 Impacted Majors at UC Berkeley | 2022-2023 Admit Rates & Average GPA
Related: 6 Impacted Majors at UCLA You Should Know About | 2023
Capped/Impacted Majors at UC Merced
In terms of the number of applicants to admit, it is clear that Merced does not have any impacted or capped majors. However, this is not to say that the most popular majors at Merced will not turn away students, particularly in the Engineering and Biological Sciences schools.
In other words, every major offered at Merced has above a 50 percent acceptance rate, but if we were to try and isolate a few majors that are capped or impacted it would be:
Economics
- Applicants: 559
- Admits: 442
- Admit Rate: 79%
Applied Mathematical Sciences
- Applicants: 1,397
- Admits: 1,105
- Admit Rate: 79%
Conclusion
UC Merced has a diverse range of majors that are popular among students. The most in-demand majors at Merced include Psychology, Biological Sciences, Computer Science & Engineering, and Management & Business Economics.
While every major offered at Merced is open to any student, some majors are more competitive than others. For example, the capped or impacted majors at Merced are Economics and Applied Mathematical Sciences.
Merced is well known for its STEM-related majors which make up nearly 50 percent of all degrees awarded. These majors are some of the most in-demand majors today and can be difficult to get into due to the high number of applicants.
However, other popular majors such as Public Health and Psychology also have high acceptance rates. We hope you were able to learn more about majors at Merced and what majors the school is known for.
Good luck deciding which major to pursue!