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Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA · City · 718 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
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Average net priceYour net price
By household income — tap a bar
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Graduation rate
58% typical
$143,238
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,582 typical
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Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California, is a specialized health sciences institution renowned for its top-tier programs in nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and podiatric medicine. As a primary educator of healthcare professionals in Northern California, the university features state-of-the-art simulation technology and strong clinical partnerships with major regional providers like Sutter Health. Campus culture is intimate, rigorous, and collaborative, serving a focused community of undergraduate and graduate students dedicated to hands-on clinical training and compassionate patient care. SMU uniquely distinguishes itself through consistently high board pass rates and its status as home to one of only nine accredited colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States.


Wikipedia:Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private university focused on health sciences with its main campus in Oakland, California, and other facilities in Sacramento, Foster City and Fresno. It was an affiliate of the Sutter Health Network and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center until it disaffiliated in January, 2022, becoming a wholly independent institution. It is the only provider of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants and is the largest source of nurses in the greater East Bay. Formerly known as Samuel Merritt College, it was founded in 1909 as a hospital school of nursing. Today, it stands as a comprehensive health sciences university, encompassing three colleges: College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, and College of Podiatric Medicine

Location
Oakland, CA, 94609 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
OAK · Oakland
7 mi away
Cost & aid

No cost data available for this college.

Outcomes
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$143,353
10 yrs after entry$143,238
Debt
Median at graduation$20,825
Monthly payment$221
Middle 50% owe$15k–$20.9k
90th percentile$26,750
Green marks a figure above the typical Special focus — other health professions: $63,582 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If Samuel Merritt University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 17%Women 83%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
5 : 1
Pell grant
18%
First-gen
32%
Family income
$30,597
Independent
80%
Age at entry
29.0
Part-time
17%
Race & ethnicity
White
24%
Hispanic
28%
Black
6%
Asian
25%
Two or more
13%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$143,353
After 10 yrs
$143,238
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing511
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$44M
Full-time faculty
45%
Faculty salary
$11,449/mo
Teaching spend
$19,852
per student
Federal loans
91%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — other health professions
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Samuel Merritt University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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