Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Samuel Merritt University

Comparable Facts

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

Samuel Merritt University is larger than Laguna College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,926 students vs. 775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Samuel Merritt University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laguna College of Art and 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 Laguna College of Art and Design and Samuel Merritt University ($37,500.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Laguna College of Art and Design and Samuel Merritt University ($37,500.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Laguna College of Art and Design than at Samuel Merritt University (100% vs. 0%).

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Samuel Merritt University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Laguna College of Art and 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 Laguna College of Art and Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Laguna College of Art and Design - Test-free; Samuel Merritt University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Laguna College of Art and Design Aug 15, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Laguna College of Art and 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 $70,600 more per year than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have a $7,949 lower median loan debt than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,699).
• Among borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($193 vs. $276).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laguna College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 61%)

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.