University of California-Merced majors, earnings & debt

University of California-Merced offers 28 bachelor's majors across 7 areas. Graduates in Computer Engineering earn the most: a median $102,575 four years after graduating. Earnings below are for this school's own graduates in each major, not national averages.

All University of California-Merced majors by area

Humanities & Languages · 6 majors
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
English$29,152$58,623$24,000
History$26,103$44,144$15,455
Ethnic / Gender Studies———
Linguistics———
Philosophy———
Spanish / French / Romance Languages———
Science & Math · 6 majors
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Applied Mathematics$39,138$82,156$16,497
Biology$36,140$59,249$18,325
Chemistry$50,944$56,888$15,000
Cognitive Science$32,419$51,147$21,000
Geology / Earth Science———
Physics———
Social Sciences & Public Service · 6 majors
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Political Science$29,153$62,815$17,500
Psychology$28,669$53,143$16,500
Sociology$37,092$50,468$17,515
Anthropology———
Psychology (Research)———
Social Sciences———
Engineering · 5 majors
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Computer Engineering$58,835$102,575$19,086
Mechanical Engineering$67,096$95,040$18,500
Biomedical Engineering$57,223$88,795$21,234
Environmental Engineering$47,028$83,007$21,665
Materials Engineering———
Business & Finance · 3 majors
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Business Administration$46,378$68,277$16,000
Economics$51,212$67,692$19,303
Management Science / Analytics———
Arts & Design · 1 major
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Visual and Performing Arts———
Health & Medicine · 1 major
MajorEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debt
Public Health$36,555$56,393$15,502

College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.

From major to career

Biology → Biological technician

$71,440
California
$57,510
U.S.

Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.

BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35

Business Administration → Management analyst

$79,670
Merced
$101,460
California
$101,860
U.S.

Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 10.1% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.

BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35

Across all majors, former University of California-Merced students earn a median $64,368 ten years after starting college, more than 51% of California colleges we cover. 69% graduate within six years.

University of California-Merced majors questions

How many majors does University of California-Merced offer?

University of California-Merced offers 28 bachelor's majors across 7 areas; the most majors are in Humanities & Languages and Science & Math.

What is the highest-paying major at University of California-Merced?

Computer Engineering graduates from University of California-Merced earn a median $102,575 four years after graduating, the highest of the 16 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $19,086.

Which University of California-Merced majors earn the least?

Among majors with reported earnings, History graduates earn the least: a median $44,144 four years after graduating.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to University of California-Merced overview