Merritt College
About Merritt College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Merritt College in the Oakland hills is where Huey Newton and Bobby Seale met as students and founded the Black Panther Party in 1966. It is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and allied health and the social sciences are its largest programs.
Founded
1954
Location
Oakland, California
Students
5,288
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
26.4%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,258
Out-of-state: $9,898
Avg Net Price
$14,021
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$44,392
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
26.4% complete their degree within three years
Retention
55%
Transfer Out
19%
Teaching Quality
29:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
35.4%
$/Student
$5.1K
Class Size
Large
The 26.4% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,258
In-State
$9,898
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,492
Total Cost of Attendance
$21,424
After Financial Aid
$14,021
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$13,744
Receive Grants
10.8%
Take Loans
0.6%
Tuition is $1,258/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $14,021.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Merritt College fund their education.
While in School
10.8%
Get Grants
Free money
0.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$13,204
Median Family Income
After Graduation
N/A
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Merritt College.
Gender
64.7%
Female
35%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
5,288
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
54.8%
First-Gen
27 yrs
Avg Age
50.8%
Age 25+
With an average entry age of 27, the campus has more working adults and non-traditional students than most schools. You'll find classmates with real-world experience. 54.8% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
5,288
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
No
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Merritt College fields 3 varsity teams with 92 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
3
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
92
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
64% / 36%
59
Men
33
Women
3
Men's Teams
3
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Merritt Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$44,392
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
—
131 grads
Social Sciences, General
$50K
76 grads
4yr Earnings
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
$51K
45 grads
4yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
34 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
—
28 grads
Criminal Justice and Corrections
—
21 grads
Graduates earn about $36K six years out, growing to $44K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merritt College
How much does Merritt College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Merritt College?▾
How much do Merritt College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.