Freshman housing options at University of California-Merced

First-year students at University of California-Merced often start in residence halls, but many explore off-campus after learning campus rules and roommate preferences.

Live-on-campus requirements

Confirm whether University of California-Merced requires freshmen to live on campus, what exemptions exist, and when off-campus leases become practical.

• Check official housing portal deadlines
• Compare residence hall costs vs nearby apartments
• Form roommate groups before peak summer demand
• Use freshman-friendly filters when browsing listings

Budget and roommates

Shared leases are common for sophomores and juniors. University of California-Merced students often form roommate groups 60–90 days before move-in; use compatibility matching to reduce lease friction.