UC Merced Injects Over $1 Billion in Economic Vitality into San Joaquin Valley, State

UC Merced, a beacon of academic achievement in the San Joaquin Valley, is also a powerful driver of economic growth and prosperity in the region it was created to serve.

UC Merced generates $1.12 billion in economic production per year in the Valley, according to an independent analysis commissioned by the university. Its influence is strongest in Merced County, where it is a catalyst for one out of every 15 jobs. Valley-wide, the university supports 7,737 full-time jobs and more than $490 million in labor income, according to the study by Beacon Economics

In Merced County, where the 10th campus in the world-renowned University of California system opened in 2005, UC Merced generates more than $1.02 billion in economic output annually, along with 7,332 jobs and $465.8 million in labor income.

Beyond the San Joaquin Valley, UC Merced's economic impact is indirectly responsible for an additional 871 jobs across California, $77.8 million in labor income and $246.3 million in economic output, for a total statewide impact of approximately $1.36 billion.

"The Valley is our home," Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said. "UC Merced, as this report confirms, is a powerful driver of economic vitality, population growth, and individual prosperity for Merced County, the Valley and the state, in addition to delivering the highest standard of student success and globally recognized research."

Beacon Economics analyzed state, regional and university data from the 2023-24 fiscal year. Amounts are expressed in 2025 dollars. Beacon's statistical model measured the direct impact of UC Merced operations, research activity, student spending and capital investments. It also analyzed indirect effects (i.e., increased demand on materials suppliers or service providers) and induced effects (i.e. students, employees and suppliers spending income throughout Merced County and the Valley).

More important takeaways from the report:

• UC Merced's research activity generates 708 jobs in California, including 545 in Merced County. Research-related economic input totals $158 million statewide and $118 million in the county.

• Every dollar spent on research by UC Merced generates an additional $2.07 statewide, including $1.54 in Merced County.

• Statewide, off-campus spending by UC Merced students totals $69.3 million. Every dollar students spend generates $1.45 in economic output.

• The top five sectors supported statewide by UC Merced, ranked by employment, are higher education, real estate, food and beverages, retail and recreation.

• UC Merced-related spending generates $79.3 million per year in tax revenue in Merced County, plus $13.1 million in the rest of the Valley and $32.39 million in the rest of California, for a statewide total of $124.8 million.