Merritt College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Merritt College
Perched in the Oakland hills, Merritt College looks out across the Bay and leans into real-world learning. It's known for strong teaching in health sciences, public service, environmental studies, technology, and business. Students find up-to-date labs, a solid library, and easy access to tutoring, counseling, and transfer support.
Campus life is active but grounded: student clubs, cultural celebrations, and service projects that plug into Oakland's neighborhoods. And trails and parks nearby invite quick hikes after class. The culture is welcoming and purpose-driven. Career prep shows up in internships, employer visits, and a career hub that helps polish résumés and confidence. Merritt is widely noted as the campus where Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale met as students, a small detail that hints at deep roots in civic life and the kind of connections that still shape learning here.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Merritt College offers 37 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 911 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Human Sciences (3 programs, 246 graduates), Health (8 programs, 173 graduates), Liberal Arts (1 programs, 91 graduates), Social Sciences (4 programs, 78 graduates) and Business (4 programs, 54 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Human Sciences (3 programs, 246 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 244 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
| Foodservice Systems Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0505 |
Health (8 programs, 173 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology | 81 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Radiologic Technology | 29 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Registered Nursing | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.1004 |
| Medical Assistant | 14 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0801 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0716 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.1501 |
| Dietetic Technician | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3103 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 91 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 91 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24.0101 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 78 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 68 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0101 |
| Economics | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
Business (4 programs, 54 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 22 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Real Estate | 20 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1501 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 9 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Business Administration | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0101 |
Law (1 programs, 47 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Assistant and Paralegal | 47 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
22.0302 |
Agriculture (3 programs, 42 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping | 33 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
01.0605 |
| Applied Horticulture | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
01.0601 |
| Plant Nursery Operations and Management | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
01.0606 |
Eng. Technologies (1 programs, 33 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Technology | 33 |
|
Other Award
|
15.0401 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 33 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 33 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Security & Safety (4 programs, 33 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 23 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
43.0103 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0201 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
43.0102 |
| Homeland Security | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0301 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Merritt College
How much does it cost to attend Merritt College?
The annual tuition at Merritt College is $1,167 for in-state students and $8,703 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,891 for in-state students and $10,427 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $22,066 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,724.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Merritt College offer?
Merritt College offers 37 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development (3 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (8 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Merritt College?
Merritt College provides financial aid to 2% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,703 and average loans of $2,969.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,254
- State/Local grants: $1,623
- Institutional grants: $767
- Federal loans: $2,969
The university supports 86 students with grants and 1 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Merritt College graduates?
Merritt College graduates earn a median salary of $36,329 after 6 years and $44,392 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $18,400 (25th percentile) to $70,228 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $76,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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