After Samuel Merritt University: graduation, pay and debt

Oakland, California · Private · 718 undergrads

The typical student earns $151,150 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $20,825 in federal loans at the median.

The short answers

$151.2k

median pay 10 years after starting college.

$20.8k

median federal debt at graduation.

92%

of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.

All the federal numbers

Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard

$148,943

Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23

$151,150

Earning more than $25,000 six years after startingCollege Scorecard, earlier release

96%

Pay is for students who got federal aid and are working, counted from the year they started college, whether or not they finished.

Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard, 2024-25

$20,825

Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release

$20,825

Median federal debt, students with a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release

$25,000

Median federal debt, students without a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release

$20,825

Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25

92%

Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release

93%

Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release

95%

Federal student loans only. Private loans and Parent PLUS loans aren't counted.

Where these numbers come from

Federal college data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).