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Samuel Merritt University

Private nonprofit Oakland, CA · Urban · Far West · 67% data
A+ Earnings A Diversity
Earnings (10yr)
$143,238 A+
Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
Enrollment
718
Earnings +251% vs avg

Bottom line: An A+ overall grade — top 2% of all U.S. colleges on outcomes.

What The Data Says

  1. An A+ overall — top 2% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.

  2. Graduates earn 251% more than the national college median.

About Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Special-Focus Institution
Carnegie Class
Special Focus
Enrollment
718
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Health Professions

Why students choose Samuel Merritt University

Exceptional earning outcomes
Graduate earnings in the top 1% of colleges
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

A+
Top 2% overall
A+
Earnings
$143,238 median
A
Diversity
0.78 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Samuel Merritt University is a great fit for students passionate about health professions. With an enrollment of 718, the university cultivates a close-knit community where individuals can thrive in specialized fields like nursing, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies. This focus on health-related degrees means that students are preparing for careers that are both fulfilling and in demand.

Life after graduation looks promising for students here, with a reported 10-year earnings average of $143,238. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in health-related careers. Moreover, the university’s commitment to accessibility is shown by an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating support for low-income students. While we don't have detailed mobility data, the strong earning potential suggests that many graduates find opportunities to move up in their careers.

On the practical side, students can expect a manageable median debt of $20,825, making it relatively affordable to pursue their ambitions without overwhelming financial burdens. Those who tend to thrive at Samuel Merritt University are often driven, compassionate individuals who are eager to make a difference in the healthcare field. This supportive environment can empower them to navigate their educational journey and step confidently into their future careers.

Can I Get In?

How selective Samuel Merritt University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Samuel Merritt University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Oakland, California, Samuel Merritt University enrolls students across a range of programs.

Full-Time Faculty
45%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$11,449
Student–Faculty Ratio
6:1
Diversity Index
0.78
First-Gen Students
32%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Samuel Merritt University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The median graduate leaves with about $20,825 in federal student loans.

Median Debt
$20,825
Pell Grant Rate
18%
Federal Loan Rate
91%

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Samuel Merritt University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $143,238, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

6 Years After Entry
$143,353
8 Years
$147,923
10 Years
$143,238
Debt-to-Earnings
0.15x
Earning > $25K
96%

Earnings Trajectory

$143,353 6yr $147,923 8yr $143,238 10yr

How Samuel Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGEarnings 10yr$143KMedian Debt$21KPell Grant Rate18%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$3,185,299

Top Programs

The fields Samuel Merritt University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Samuel Merritt University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Samuel Merritt University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Oakland, California, Samuel Merritt University enrolls students across a range of programs.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Samuel Merritt University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The median graduate leaves with about $20,825 in federal student loans.

Is Samuel Merritt University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $143,238, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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