Art Center College of Design vs. Samuel Merritt University

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than Samuel Merritt University based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 1,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Samuel Merritt University is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Samuel Merritt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; Samuel Merritt University 5:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. Samuel Merritt University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design or Samuel Merritt University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between Art Center College of Design and Samuel Merritt University ($54,170.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Art Center College of Design and Samuel Merritt University ($54,170.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Art Center College of Design than at Samuel Merritt University (60% vs. 0%).

Art Center College of Design vs. Samuel Merritt University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Art Center College of Design or Samuel Merritt University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Samuel Merritt University and Art Center College of Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; Samuel Merritt University - Not reported.

Art Center College of Design vs. Samuel Merritt University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Art Center College of Design and Samuel Merritt University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Samuel Merritt University earn a median of about $52,400 more per year than Art Center College of Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $58,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($18,750 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($193 vs. $323).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Art Center College of Design students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.