Merritt College

12500 Campus Dr
Oakland, CA 94619
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • The mission of Merritt College is to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve by helping students to attain knowledge, master skills, develop the appreciation, attitudes and values needed to succeed and participate responsibly in a democratic society.

School Highlights

Merritt College serves 6,261 students (19% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 29:1 is higher than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the state average of 75%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 6,261 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,144
  • Out-state tuition: $6,256
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 29:1
  • Minority enrollment: 86%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Merritt College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 216 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Merritt College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
216 staff
312 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Merritt College and community college average number of faculty in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Merritt College has declined by 8% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 29:1 has decreased from 32:1 over five years.
The Merritt College diversity score of 0.77 is more than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
6,261 students
7,900 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Merritt College and community college average number of enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
29:1
21:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Merritt College and community college average student staff ratio of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,174 students
1,661 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Merritt College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
5,087 students
6,239 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Merritt College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Merritt College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of California.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
413 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,174 students
1,646 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Merritt College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5,087 students
6,312 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Merritt College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in California by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
16%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Merritt College and the percentage of Asian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
35%
45%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Merritt College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
23%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Merritt College and the percentage of Black community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
14%
25%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Merritt College and the percentage of White community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Merritt College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in California by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
5%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Merritt College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Merritt College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
5%
5%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Merritt College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in California.
Diversity Score
0.77
0.71
This chart displays the diversity score of Merritt College and the community college average diversity score of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
21%
35%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Merritt College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$39,700
$34,700
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Merritt College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of California by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,144 is less than the state average of $2,083. The in-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,256 is less than the state average of $7,122. The out-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,144
$2,083
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Merritt College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,256
$7,122
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Merritt College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
69%
86%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Merritt College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$14,875
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Merritt College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$6,239
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Merritt College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
100%
89%
This chart displays the percent admitted of Merritt College and the community college average percent admitted of California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Merritt College and academic tradition are synonymous. Its over 40-year tradition of academic excellence is prominently manifested in its distinguished alumni and faculty who taught them. Annually, four-year colleges and universities across the state are eager recipients of Merritt transfer students from medicine and law, to art and science. Always the community college innovator, Merritt boasts many unique occupational programs such as its much touted nursing and health professions, community social services/substance abuse counselor, environmental hazardous materials technology, computer information systems, landscape horticulture and environmental management, paralegal studies and restoration technology. There are many benefits that make Merritt the first choice of over 6,000 students each semester. Merritt cares. You can be assured of small classes, caring faculty, friendly admissions staff, and first class support services. Merritt has a great location. The campus is nestled in the scenic Oakland hills with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay out through the Golden Gate. A safe, clean, cheerful environment awaits your ascent to Merritt's opportunities. Merritt has a wide array of excellent courses taught by very caring and knowledgeable faculty. Our professional staff is eager to help you develop an educational plan which will make your dreams become a reality. Merritt has a wide range of services and resources provided by friendly, helpful, and devoted professional staff. The entire Merritt College family is committed to contributing to your success as a student. Merritt college has a rich cultural diversity of students from many ethnic groups which provides a positive and enriching learning environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Merritt College cost?
Merritt College's tuition is approximately $1,144 for In-State students and $6,256 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Merritt College?
The acceptance rate of Merritt College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 89%.
What is Merritt College's ranking?
Merritt College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Diversity in US community colleges.
In what neighborhood is Merritt College located?
Merritt College is located in the Caballo Hills neighborhood of Oakland, CA.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 6,261 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,144
  • Out-state tuition: $6,256
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 29:1
  • Minority enrollment: 86%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Alameda County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,145 per year for in-state students and $6,480 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Alameda County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.66, which is lower than the national average of 0.71. The most diverse community college in Alameda County, CA is Berkeley City College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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