Merritt College vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

Compare Merritt College in Oakland, CA with Norco College in Norco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norco College is larger than Merritt College based on total student enrollment (11,351 students vs. 7,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merritt College is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Merritt College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merritt College 33:1; Norco College 29:1.

Merritt College vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merritt College or Norco 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 Norco College than Merritt College ($8,534 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 14.7% lower than at Norco College ($22,820 vs. $26,740).
• Norco College is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Merritt College (about $170 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Norco College than at Merritt College (about $2,600 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norco College than at Merritt College (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norco College students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Merritt College students ($5,343 vs. $4,972).

Merritt College vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Merritt College - Open admission; Norco College - Open admission.

Merritt College vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merritt College and Norco 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Norco College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($8,000 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, Norco College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($82 vs. $118).
• More Norco College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Merritt College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.