Season Tier
Platinum
Div 1
League Points1713 RP
USA 2 vs last year
🌍Global Elite

University of California, Merced

QS Score
62.6
Global Rank
Academic & Employer Reputation
THE Score
62.6
Global Rank
Teaching & Research Quality
Employment
70.9%
Outcome
Graduate Employability Rate
Intl Ratio
89.8%
Diversity
International Students/Staff

Analysis:University of California, Merced has demonstrated strong research output and global reputation, securing its position in the Platinum tier.

Hot Topic

Hidden Gem: Why University of California, Merced is Undervalued

Metrics show it performs better than its reputation suggests. "Ranked low (63) but dominates battles (100% win rate). A hidden gem."

Perception Gap

Underrated
Brand Reputation63/100
Actual Output (Citations)67/100

Latest IntelLIVEBETA

News1/21/2026

Exhibit Explores the Design, Planning of University of California, Merced - Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

[Beta AI] A positive trend has been detected.

Impact: +1 RP
News12/19/2025

California’s youngest public university is 20 years old. Is it meeting its purpose? - The Merced FOCUS

[Beta AI] General university news.

Impact: 0 RP
News12/8/2025

UC Merced Receives Transformational $38 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott - University of California, Merced

[Beta AI] A positive trend has been detected.

Impact: +1 RP
News10/23/2025

20 years in, UC Merced celebrates achievements, looks to future - University of California

[Beta AI] A positive trend has been detected.

Impact: +1 RP
News9/22/2025

UC Merced Named Top 25 Public University by U.S. News & World Report - University of California, Merced

[Beta AI] A positive trend has been detected.

Impact: +1 RP

Public Perception

Season 1
Underrated

Ranked low (63) but dominates battles (100% win rate). A hidden gem.

OverratedFairUnderrated
+37.4 Sentiment Gap

Rank Booster

Next Target
Loyola University Chicago
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Current Votes
20
To Overtake

Why Do Students Choose University of California, Merced?

Global Community
Diverse Campus Life
Historic Legacy

It's not just about the rankings. Students flock to University of California, Merced for its unique combination of global community and diverse campus life.

Explore Campus Life

Frequently Asked Questions

What is University of California, Merced ranked in the world?

University of California, Merced holds a QS World Ranking score of 62.6/100 and a Times Higher Education (THE) score of 62.6/100. Its comprehensive tier on UniVS is Platinum, reflecting its global standing.

Is University of California, Merced good for international students?

With an international student ratio of 89.8%, University of California, Merced offers a highly diverse and welcoming environment for students from abroad.

What is the acceptance rate or employability of University of California, Merced?

The employment rate for graduates is approximately 70.9%, indicating strong demand in the job market. University of California, Merced is known for preparing students for competitive industries.

How does University of California, Merced compare to other universities in USA?

University of California, Merced is a leading institution in USA. Use our Comparison Tool to see how it stacks up against local rivals in terms of research, teaching, and prestige.

Is University of California, Merced worth the tuition?

Considering its Platinum Tier status and 70.9% employability rate, University of California, Merced generally offers a solid Return on Investment (ROI), especially for degrees in high-demand fields found in its department rankings.

About This Data

The Reputation Points (RP) determine the dynamic season ranking, combining the Base Composite Score with Community Votes and Live Event Impacts.

The Base Score is calculated using our proprietary methodology that combines data from three major ranking systems: QS World University Rankings (academic & employer reputation, citations per faculty), Times Higher Education (THE) (teaching, research, citations, industry income, international outlook), and ARWU (alumni & staff Nobel Prizes, highly cited researchers, publications).

Tier assignments are based on the RP score using a gamified system inspired by competitive gaming. Rankings and scores are for informational and educational purposes only. Data is updated periodically and may not reflect the most recent ranking publications. For official rankings, please visit the respective ranking organizations directly.