Conveniently located in the center of California, the 910-acre campus resides just outside the city of Merced, next to Lake Yosemite Park. Between the Sierra Nevada range to the east and the Coastal Range to the west, the campus is situated within a short two-hour drive from San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean and Sacramento; less than two hours from Yosemite National Park and other Sierra Nevada destinations; and an hour from Fresno. Merced County and the surrounding region also offer a unique selection of cultural, entertainment and recreational options for students to explore.

 At UC Merced, we are committed to developing the potential of every student, prompting your leadership, encouraging your intellectual advancement, providing context and depth to your ideas, and helping you chart a life course that is comfortable but challenging. We promise to prod your creativity and introduce the global society that will be the backdrop for your career. In the process, you will encounter the research that leads to breakthroughs in science and artistic achievement, gives birth to new industries, and improves our quality and understanding of the social milieu.