Merritt College
- 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 6,574 students (29% of students are full-time).
- Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the state average of 68%.
- Merritt College is one of 10 community colleges within Alameda County, CA.
- The nearest community college to Merritt College is Laney College (5.2 miles away).
Top Placements
Merritt College places among the top 20% of community colleges in California for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity Diversity in US community colleges
School Overview
- The teacher population of 129 teachers has declined by 21% over five years.
| Merritt College | (CA) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Associate of Arts Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 129 staff | 97 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 6,574 students | 7,516 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 51:1 | 44:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 1,908 students | 1,613 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 4,643 students | 5,903 students |
 |  | |
| % American Indian/Alaskan | - | - |
| % Asian | 17% | 13% |
| % Hispanic | 29% | 37% |
| % Black | 26% | 7% |
| % White | 17% | 32% |
| % Hawaiian | - | - |
| % Two or more races | 5% | 3% |
| % Non Resident races | - | 3% |
| % Unknown races | 3% | 5% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.79 | 0.73 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 11% | 29% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $39,700 | $34,600 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) 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.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Merritt College is Laney College (5.2 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- Laney CollegePublic10,548 students | 5.20 Mi900 Fallon Sreet
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)834-5740 5.2010,548 - College of AlamedaPublic5,712 students | 6.10 Mi555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pky
Alameda, CA 94501
(510)522-7221 6.105,712 - Carrington College-San LeandroPrivate, for profit509 students | 6.70 Mi15555 E. 14th Street, Suite 500
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510)276-3888 6.70509 - Berkeley City CollegePublic6,321 students | 7.80 Mi2050 Center Sreet
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510)981-2800 7.806,321 - Chabot CollegePublic13,047 students | 11.10 Mi25555 Hesperian Blvd
Hayward, CA 94545
(510)723-6600 11.1013,047
Recent Articles
The Online Education Initiative will greatly expand course offerings for community college students, while making the transfer process between institutions much more smooth. The Initiative has its critics, however, who decry the loss of local control over education.
A recent study reveals that job applicants with a credential or associate’s degree from a community college have slightly better chances of getting a job interview than students who attend a for-profit college or university. Since community colleges are much more budget friendly than for-profit institutions and have much better job placement results, community colleges are a much better option for employment-minded students.
After City College of San Francisco loses its accreditation, other community colleges in the state are facing warnings, sanctions and possible loss of accreditation as well.
