California State University-Northridge vs. Samuel Merritt University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than Samuel Merritt University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 1,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Samuel Merritt University is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Samuel Merritt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Samuel Merritt University 5:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. Samuel Merritt University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge 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 California State University Northridge and Samuel Merritt University ($7,458.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between California State University-Northridge and Samuel Merritt University ($20,058.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at Samuel Merritt University (83% vs. 0%).

California State University-Northridge vs. Samuel Merritt University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; Samuel Merritt University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-Northridge vs. Samuel Merritt University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge 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 $63,200 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $4,554 lower median loan debt than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($14,196 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($146 vs. $193).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 59%)

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.