Merritt College vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

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

West Los Angeles College is larger than Merritt College based on total student enrollment (9,255 students vs. 7,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Merritt College is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); West Los Angeles College is in Culver City, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Merritt College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Los Angeles College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Merritt College 33:1; West Los Angeles College 26:1.

Merritt College vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Merritt College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College than Merritt College ($11,164 vs. $15,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Merritt College are 10.2% lower than at West Los Angeles College ($22,820 vs. $25,407).
• Merritt College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Los Angeles College (about $20 more per year; $1,258.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at West Los Angeles College than at Merritt College (about $674 more per year; $10,572.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Los Angeles College than at Merritt College (83% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Los Angeles College students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Merritt College students ($5,857 vs. $4,972).

Merritt College vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Merritt College or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

Merritt College vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Merritt College and West Los Angeles 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 from Merritt College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than West Los Angeles College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Los Angeles College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Merritt College graduates ($9,500 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, West Los Angeles College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Merritt College graduates ($98 vs. $118).
• More Merritt College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 26%)

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.