At $4,260/yr net price, Merced College graduates earn $37,815/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,815/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,260 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,040 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,815/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,815/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,274/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,119/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,053/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,198/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,577/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $89,672 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $45,696 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,988 | |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $19,227 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $16,478 |
The Risk Factor
29.1% of students at Merced College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Merced College runs cheap and the return depends almost entirely on one thing: whether you finish nursing. At $4,260 a year, your total cost to a degree is low, but the 29% graduation rate means most people who enroll do not walk out with a credential, and the earnings numbers only pay off if you do.
Nursing is the reason to be here. The associate nursing program clears $89,000 a decade out, which is roughly double the school's median earnings and well above what most bachelor's holders earn nationally. The vocational nursing certificate lands around $45,000, a solid outcome for a short program. If you can get into and complete either, the math works strongly in your favor.
Everything else looks weak. Criminal justice grads sit near $31,000, and the associate tracks in psychology and human development come in under $20,000 and $17,000 respectively. Those are transfer-oriented programs, so a two-year degree that stops there leaves you earning less than the school's overall median. Treat them as a step toward a four-year school, not an endpoint.
The main financial risk here is not tuition, it's non-completion. Low cost does not protect you if you leave with credits and no credential, and the graduation rate says that outcome is common. Nursing seats are also limited, so a nursing plan that falls through drops you into the low-paying majors by default.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay close to $3,000-$4,000 a year, which is affordable and low-risk to try. Higher earners pay more than double that, up to about $10,600. Come here if you have a realistic shot at nursing or a firm transfer plan. If you want a bachelor's-level career and are unsure about nursing, this is a cheap starting point, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merced College worth the money?
Merced College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,260 per year and graduates earning $37,815 annually after 10 years. The nursing programs provide excellent returns, with registered nursing graduates earning nearly $90,000, though the 29% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying majors at Merced College?
Registered nursing is by far the highest-paying program at Merced College, with graduates earning $89,672 annually. Practical nursing graduates earn $45,696, while other programs like criminal justice ($30,988) and psychology ($19,227) offer much lower returns.
How much debt do Merced College students graduate with?
With a net price of just $4,260 per year, Merced College students can graduate with minimal debt if they complete their programs. The low cost makes it one of the more affordable college options in California.
What is the graduation rate at Merced College?
Only 29% of students graduate from Merced College, which is well below the national average. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.