UnisHub University Compass

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

0 · 0 reviews
Official Website
Table of Contents

About Samuel Merritt University

Set in Oakland's medical district, Samuel Merritt University is known for training in the health sciences and a learn-by-doing approach. Students log hours in simulation labs and skills suites that mirror clinical realities, supported by a health sciences library, advising, tutoring, and wellness resources. The vibe is applied and collaborative, with tight-knit cohorts, practicing faculty, and interprofessional work that keeps the science close to patient care.

Campus life leans purposeful. Student groups lead service projects, peer mentoring happens over coffee, and study breaks reach Lake Merritt and nearby cafes. Career prep threads through everything, from clinical placements with Bay Area providers to alumni connections and steady career coaching. The culture values equity, community partnership, and bedside-ready professionalism, with milestone ceremonies marking the step from classroom to clinics.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location: 3100 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, California, 94609, USA
Phone: +1 (800) 607-6377
Website: samuelmerritt.edu
Unit ID: 122296

Academic & Institutional

Control: Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation: WSCUC
Length of Study: Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System: Trimester system (three terms per year, often evenly spaced)
Award Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Professional)
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research 4-Year Focus - Engineering
Campus Setting: Located in a large city (population of 250,000 or more)
Tuition: In-state: $50,934 (Tuition $49,136 + Fee $1,798) · Out-of-state: $50,934 (Tuition $49,136 + Fee $1,798)
Student Profile:
Total Students: 1,894
Undergraduate: 712
Graduate/Other: 1,182
Male: 414 Female: 1,480
Applications:
Total Applicants: Not available
Admitted: Not available
Enrolled: Not available
Staff:
Total: 541 Full-time: 345 Part-time: 196

Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects

Explore degree programs offered at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in California. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.

How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in California vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Health (13)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.0912 Physician Associate/Assistant. (PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals to practice medicine, including diagnoses and treatment therapies, under the supervision of a physician. Includes instruction in the basic medical and clinical sciences and specialized preparation in fields such as family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery, psychiatry, and behavioral medicine; the delivery of health care services to homebound patients, rural populations, and underserved populations; and community health services.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $153,860 +$15,960 (+11.6%)
29-1071 Physician Assistants $136,900 $160,940 +$24,040 (+17.6%)
51.1203 Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry. (Spec)
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of podiatric medicine, involving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and injuries to the foot and lower extremities. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, anatomy of the lower extremity, functional orthopedics, foot biomechanics, podiatric radiology, dermatology, podiatric surgery, podopediatrics, sports medicine, physical diagnosis, emergency medicine and traumatology, practice management, and professional standards and ethics.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
29-1081 Podiatrists $163,960 $196,320 +$32,360 (+19.7%)
51.1503 Clinical/Medical Social Work. (PostBacCert)
A program that prepares individuals for the specialized professional practice of social work, in collaboration with other health care professionals, in hospitals and other health care facilities and organizations. Includes instruction in social work, psychiatric case work, clinical interviewing techniques, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient testing and evaluation, patient and family counseling, social rehabilitation, patient care planning, record-keeping, and support services liaison.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
21-1011 Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors N/A N/A N/A
21-1014 Mental Health Counselors N/A N/A N/A
21-1022 Healthcare Social Workers $72,030 $88,730 +$16,700 (+23.2%)
21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $68,290 $72,540 +$4,250 (+6.2%)
25-1113 Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary $81,880 $136,790 +$54,910 (+67.1%)
51.2306 Occupational Therapy/Therapist. (PostBacCert, GradCert)
A program that prepares individuals to assist patients limited by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and learning disabilities, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their independence and maintain optimum health through a planned mix of acquired skills, performance motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, patient assessment and evaluation, standardized and non-standardized tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, health education and promotion, and professional standards and ethics.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $153,860 +$15,960 (+11.6%)
29-1122 Occupational Therapists $98,240 $117,430 +$19,190 (+19.5%)
51.2308 Physical Therapy/Therapist. (GradCert)
A program that prepares individuals to evaluate, examine, diagnose, and alleviate physical functional impairments and limitations caused by injury or disease through the design and implementation of therapeutic interventions to promote fitness and health. Includes instruction in anatomy, behavioral sciences, biology, biomechanics, biophysical agents, care plan development and documentation, cellular histology, clinical evaluation and measurement, clinical reasoning, communication, exercise physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, physiology, professional standards and ethics, rehabilitation psychology, and therapeutic exercise.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1071 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary $137,900 $153,860 +$15,960 (+11.6%)
29-1123 Physical Therapists $102,400 $118,340 +$15,940 (+15.6%)
51.3203 Nursing Education. (PostBacCert)
A program that prepares registered nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings, including staff development. Includes instruction in advanced nursing practice, nursing role development, curriculum and instruction, program and course design, clinical instruction, and evaluation of learning.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
11-9033 Education Administrators, Postsecondary $124,450 $125,100 +$650 (+0.5%)
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $138,780 +$51,690 (+59.4%)
51.3801 Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. (Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
A program that generally prepares individuals in the knowledge, techniques and procedures for promoting health, providing care for sick, disabled, infirmed, or other individuals or groups. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting a physician during treatments and examinations, Referring patients to physicians and other health care specialists, and planning education for health maintenance.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $138,780 +$51,690 (+59.4%)
29-1141 Registered Nurses $98,430 $132,230 +$33,800 (+34.3%)
51.3804 Nurse Anesthetist. (PostBacCert)
A program that prepares registered nurses to administer anesthetics and provide care for patients before, during and after anesthesia. Includes instruction in the biochemistry and physics of anesthesia; advanced anatomy and physiology; clinical pharmacology of anesthetics and adjunctive drugs; pain management; acute care and operating room practice; clinical technology and procedures; emergency intervention; patient assessment and education; and legal issues.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $138,780 +$51,690 (+59.4%)
29-1151 Nurse Anesthetists $231,700 $281,550 +$49,850 (+21.5%)
51.3805 Family Practice Nurse/Nursing. (PostBacCert, MSc)
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. Includes instruction in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathopsychology.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $138,780 +$51,690 (+59.4%)
29-1141 Registered Nurses $98,430 $132,230 +$33,800 (+34.3%)
29-1171 Nurse Practitioners $132,000 $155,240 +$23,240 (+17.6%)
51.3818 Nursing Practice. (GradCert)
A practice-focused program that prepares registered nurses for increasingly complex evidence-based nursing practice, including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. Includes instruction in healthcare delivery systems, health economics and finance, health policy, research methods, translating evidence into practice, concepts in population health, and nursing leadership.

Graduate Career Earnings in California

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National California Avg CA vs US
11-9111 Medical and Health Services Managers $137,730 $145,840 +$8,110 (+5.9%)
25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary $87,090 $138,780 +$51,690 (+59.4%)
29-1141 Registered Nurses $98,430 $132,230 +$33,800 (+34.3%)
29-1171 Nurse Practitioners $132,000 $155,240 +$23,240 (+17.6%)

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$50,934
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$50,934
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$50,934
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$50,934
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
N/A
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
N/A
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
N/A
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
N/A
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$58,126
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$58,126
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

0%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
N/A
Avg. Loan
N/A
Avg. Federal Loan
N/A
Additional
Students with Any Grant
N/A
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
N/A
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
N/A
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
N/A
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

N/A
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
N/A
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$104,570 – $182,822
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$104,570 (25th %) $182,822 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $143,238
Median Salary After 6 Years
$143,353
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$143,238
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
91.7%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
93.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$20,825
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 90.3%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 92.8%
Independent 91.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Samuel Merritt University (SMU)

How much does it cost to attend Samuel Merritt University (SMU)?

The annual tuition at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is $50,934 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $50,934 for in-state students.

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 Samuel Merritt University offer?

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) offers 18 academic programs across 1 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Professional).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (13 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the average salary for Samuel Merritt University graduates?

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) graduates earn a median salary of $143,353 after 6 years and $143,238 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $104,570 (25th percentile) to $182,822 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $194,400 (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.

Related Universities

Campus map for San Diego City College
San Diego City College
1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101-4787
View Profile
Campus map for San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College
7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111-4998
View Profile
Campus map for San Diego Miramar College
San Diego Miramar College
10440 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92126-2999
View Profile