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Merritt College

Oakland, CA·Public·5,288 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 5,288 students.

N/A
Accept
5,288
Students
$14,021
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$41,500
Earnings
10 yr
N/A
Debt

About This School

Merritt College is a public institution located in Oakland, California with approximately 5,288 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $14,021 per year. Typical graduates earn $41,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Merritt College is a public community college in Oakland, California, United States. Merritt, like the other three campuses of the Peralta Community College District, is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The college enrolls approximately 6,000 students.

Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable community college option in the Oakland area with a smaller, more personal feel than many larger campuses. The median earnings of $41,500 ten years after enrollment are modest — enough to live on, but tight for the Bay Area's cost of living, so think carefully about your career goals and whether this school's programs align with them. It works best as a stepping stone toward transfer to a four-year university or for career-focused students in fields where Merritt has strong vocational programs.

Founded
1954
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$12,200

Popular Programs

Health Professions28%
Social Sciences8%
Business & Marketing5%
Computer Science2%
Psychology2%
Communications1%
Education0%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Huey P. NewtonBobby SealeMaster PGlenn Burke

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$1,258
Out-of-State Tuition
$9,898
Avg Net Price
$14,021
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$13,744
$30–48k$14,102
$48–75k$12,825
$75–110k$18,528
$110k+$20,036

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants11%
Median debt at graduationN/A

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$41,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
N/A
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$32,500
Female graduates$30,400

Gap: 6% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
N/A
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$41,500
after enrollment

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White18%
Black24%
Hispanic/Latino29%
Asian16%
Two or more races6%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,288 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Merritt College

12500 Campus Dr

Oakland, CA 94619-3196

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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