Campus Achievements since the Launch of the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan
In the last five years, the campus has achieved significant accomplishments vis-a-vis the initial strategic plan. Through a survey invite distributed to UCM internal stakeholders, we asked campus constituents to highlight key campus accomplishments over the past five years. The most common accomplishments highlighted by stakeholders are summarized in the word cloud. The campus celebrated achieving Carnegie R1 designation in record time, being recognized nationally by U.S. News and World Report as among the top 25 public universities, and realizing social mobility and economic prosperity for UC Merced students.
Achievements below:
- R1 Our Way
- National Recognition
- Access and Opportunity
- Creating Market-Aligned Academic Programs and Infrastructure
- Economic Impact
R1 Our Way
The coveted Carnegie R1 designation is determined based on two key indicators of university research prowess: (1) doctoral degrees conferred; and (2) research expenditures. UC Merced earned Carnegie R1 designation in 2025, a recognition reserved for the nation’s top research universities. This achievement, secured in record time since the campus’s founding, documents rapid growth in research expenditures and doctoral education.
Left: Research and development expenditures and doctoral degrees awarded up over 70% since 2019
National Recognition
Left: UC Merced’s Director of Foundation Relations,Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships Meredith Fear and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Strategy Christiane Spitzmueller receiving the College Futures Award for Advancing Social Mobility for California Students
Right: President of the American Council on Education (ACE) Ted Mitchell and Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz at the presentation of the 2024 Award for Institutional Transformation to UC Merced
Left: UC Merced ranks #25 among Top Public Universities, according to U.S. News & World Report (2025)
Access and Opportunity
UC Merced has been recognized among the nation’s top universities for social mobility, reflecting the transformative impact on our students’ lives. The state of California guarantees access to the UC for all students who graduate high school meeting A-G course requirements and achieving a 3.0 GPA. UC Merced delivers on California’s UC access promise, serving a majority-minority student body, many of whom are first-generation and Pell-grant eligible. UC education is accessible to students from underserved backgrounds, and their achievements ripple outward as they lift families, strengthen communities, and fuel regional progress.
Left: UC Merced serves a broader spectrum of academically prepared students than the rest of the UC system.
UC Merced has been recognized for achieving extraordinary 
educational outcomes for Pell-eligible students from families with modest economic means, achieving the highest graduation rates among institutions that serve more than 50% Pell-eligible students.
Right: UC Merced graduates more students than any comparable institution with over 50% Pell-eligible.
Creating Market-Aligned Academic Programs and Infrastructure
Since 2020/2021, the campus has increased the majors available to incoming students by more than 50%. UC Merced’s academic program portfolio now includes Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Liberal Studies, and Neuroscience. We leverage data on student demand, competitive intensity with other universities, and regional workforce demands in selecting majors to pursue. The university expanded its academic offerings while laying the foundation for research-based medical education in the Central Valley. The SJV Prime + program enrolls Central Valley students in a Bachelor’s to MD program, building the infrastructure that will enable long-term impact (Medical Education Building). These developments strengthened UC Merced’s ability to meet regional, national and international workforce needs and created new opportunities for students close to home. This progress advanced Goal 2: Developing future scholars and leaders and addressed long-standing regional gaps in educational and professional pathways.
Left: Rendering of UC Merced’s future Medical Education Building upon completion
Economic Impact
UC Merced’s economic impact on California, the Central Valley, and Merced County is significant. A recent study by Beacon Economics shows that out of the total employment in Merced County in 2023/2024 (non-farmwork), 12% of the total jobs are supported directly or indirectly by UC Merced. The total economic impact of the campus on California’s economy was $1.36BN for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Above: Total economic impact of UC Merced in California, including direct1, indirect2, induced effects3, value added4, and output contribution5
1 Direct effects: The immediate economic activity resulting directly from the Initial University spending activity.
2 Indirect effects: Economic impacts derived from the increased demand on industries in the supply chain (business-to-business interactions), like materials suppliers and service providers.
3 Induced effects: Economic activity is created and supported when employees, students, and visitors spend their earnings within the region.
4 Value added: Employee Compensation + Proprietor Income + Other Property Income + Taxes on Production and Imports
5 Output contribution: The value of industry production, which is value added + Intermediate Inputs
