<p>Do you have any other options? </p>
<p>You can read around the Merced forums and notice some of the past Merced students said that although they enjoyed their experience at Merced, they would have just went to a CC and saved the money if they could do it over again. In a nutshell, some people who have attended Merced think that they did not get their $23k worth. </p>
<p>I am sure others feel differently on this topic so it is really up to you. It definitely looks nice from the pictures that I have seen, but will you enjoy your experience. Only you will know that answer.</p>