Pierce College vs. Merritt College

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA with Merritt College in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than Merritt College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 7,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); Merritt College is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Merritt College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; Merritt College 33:1.

Pierce College vs. Merritt College Cost Comparison

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

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Los Angeles Pierce College than Merritt College ($14,469 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 10.2% lower than at Los Angeles Pierce College ($22,820 vs. $25,407).
• Merritt College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pierce College (about $20 more per year; $1,258.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Pierce College than at Merritt College (about $674 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Pierce College as at Merritt College (71% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students is 28.7% larger than aid received by Merritt College students ($6,398 vs. $4,972).

Pierce College vs. Merritt College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pierce College or Merritt College? 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 Merritt College and Pierce College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pierce College - Open admission; Merritt College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Pierce College vs. Merritt College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pierce College and Merritt College? 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 of Los Angeles Pierce College and Merritt College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,800), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Pierce College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($10,500 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, Pierce College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($108 vs. $118).
• More Pierce College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merritt College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 27%)

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.