Samuel Merritt University: 712 Students

712Students

$143,238Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University trains the next generation of healthcare professionals in Oakland's urban landscape. The 712 students here focus entirely on health sciences, with nationally recognized programs in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. Students learn in a city setting that provides abundant clinical placement opportunities at nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The financial picture looks strong for graduates entering high-demand healthcare fields. With median debt of just $20,825, students avoid the crushing loan burdens common at other professional schools. Graduates earn a median of $143,238 ten years after completion, making the investment worthwhile. The monthly loan payment of $221 represents a manageable burden given these earning prospects. A 91.69% loan repayment rate reflects graduates' ability to handle their debt successfully.

The student body reflects California's diversity, with 26.83% Asian students, 23.88% Hispanic students, and 28.79% White students. Women make up 81.32% of enrollment, typical for health sciences programs. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention crucial for hands-on healthcare training. With a 98.5% employment rate, graduates consistently find work in their chosen healthcare fields immediately after graduation.

Academics & Faculty

Samuel Merritt University focuses exclusively on health sciences education, preparing students for careers in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio means intensive, hands-on training with direct mentorship from practicing healthcare professionals. Students benefit from small cohorts that simulate real clinical team actives. The university's trimester calendar system accelerates degree completion, allowing students to enter the workforce faster than traditional four-year programs. With 98.5% of graduates finding employment, the specialized curriculum clearly aligns with healthcare industry demands. The school's century-plus history has built strong clinical partnerships throughout the Bay Area, giving students access to top hospital systems for their required rotations.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 46.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $143,238
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$139,136
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Master	$116,083
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$110,846
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	Master	$73,635
Medicine.	Doctoral	$56,189

View all 12 programs →

Campus Life

Oakland's fog rolls through Samuel Merritt's urban campus, where 712 health sciences students navigate a city setting that requires light jackets year-round rather than heavy winter coats. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name in clinical labs and simulation centers. Most students commute from around the Bay Area since housing options are limited on the compact campus.

Weekends often involve study groups preparing for rigorous nursing and allied health exams. The 98.5% employment rate reflects the program intensity that dominates social life. With 81.32% women, the student body bonds over shared clinical rotations at nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities. The trimester calendar system keeps academic pressure high throughout the year. Students frequently grab coffee in Oakland's diverse neighborhoods between classes, though many head home to study rather than lingering for traditional college social activities. The focus stays professional, with career preparation driving most campus conversations and weekend plans.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Trimester
Founded: 1909

Campus Safety (2023)

9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	0	6
Domestic Violence	0	0	0	2
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 45°–59°F
July Avg: 56°–71°F
Annual Precipitation: 22.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Samuel Merritt draws ambitious students pursuing healthcare careers, with the vast majority being women reflecting the female-dominated fields of nursing and allied health. The student body represents California's diversity, with strong Asian and Hispanic representation alongside white students. Most students come from middle-class backgrounds, as evidenced by the low Pell Grant rate of under 18%. The small enrollment of just over 700 creates an intimate learning environment. Students here are career-focused, attracted to specialized health science programs that lead directly to high-paying professions in nursing, physical therapy, and physician assistant roles.

Men: 18.7%
Women: 81.3%
White: 28.8%
Black: 6.5%
Hispanic: 23.9%
Asian: 26.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 17.8%

Location

Samuel Merritt University sits in Oakland, California, a diverse urban center across the bay from San Francisco. The campus operates within one of the nation's most expensive metropolitan areas, where the median household income exceeds $85,000. Oakland's proximity to Silicon Valley and major medical centers creates abundant clinical placement opportunities for health sciences students. The city's demographics mirror the university's diversity, with no single ethnic group forming a majority. Students train in real urban healthcare settings while living just 20 minutes by BART from San Francisco's financial district. The Bay Area's 7.7 million residents provide extensive internship and career networks. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Samuel Merritt University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Oakland, California 94609

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $143,238
Median Earnings (5 years): $147,667
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $97,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 91.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $221/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $20,825

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Samuel Merritt University?

Samuel Merritt University maintains highly selective admission standards for its specialized health sciences programs. With just 712 total students enrolled, the university focuses on small cohorts that benefit from a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Most programs require prerequisite coursework in sciences and healthcare experience before applying.

How much does Samuel Merritt University cost after financial aid?

Students graduate with a median debt of $20,825, which is relatively manageable for a health sciences education. About 64% of students take federal loans with monthly payments averaging $221 after graduation. The low debt burden reflects the university's focus on preparing students for high-earning healthcare careers.

What academic programs is Samuel Merritt University known for?

The university specializes exclusively in health sciences education with flagship programs in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. Students benefit from intensive, hands-on training with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The trimester calendar system allows for accelerated learning and multiple clinical rotations throughout the year.

What are the career outcomes for Samuel Merritt University graduates?

Graduates achieve exceptional employment outcomes with a 98.5% job placement rate within their field. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $143,238, reflecting the strong demand for skilled healthcare professionals. The 91.7% loan repayment rate demonstrates graduates' financial stability in their chosen careers.

Where is Samuel Merritt University located and what is campus life like?

The university operates in Oakland, California, providing students access to diverse clinical sites and healthcare networks throughout the Bay Area. With 81% female enrollment, the campus reflects the gender composition typical of many health sciences programs. The urban setting offers numerous internship and job opportunities at nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Is Samuel Merritt University diverse in its student body?

The student body reflects California's diversity with 27% Asian students, 24% Hispanic students, and 29% white students creating a multicultural learning environment. Only 18% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a student body from predominantly middle to upper-middle-class backgrounds. This demographic mix brings varied perspectives to healthcare training and patient care discussions.