Samuel Merritt University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $111,200 within 10 years.
About This School
Samuel Merritt University is a private nonprofit institution located in Oakland, California with approximately 712 undergraduate students enrolled. Typical graduates earn $111,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private university focused on health sciences with its main campus in Oakland, California, and other facilities in Sacramento, San Mateo 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
This is a strong option for students set on a health sciences career — the $111,200 median earnings at 10 years out is well above average, and the $20,825 median debt load is quite manageable given that income trajectory. As a small, specialized institution (just 712 undergrads), it's purpose-built for fields like nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs — not a place to "figure out" your major. If you're committed to healthcare and want direct clinical pathways in the Bay Area, this school punches well above its size.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (712 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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.
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