Columbia vs Samuel Merritt University
Columbia University and Samuel Merritt University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Columbia, an Ivy League research university located in the heart of New York City, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 6.1%, while Samuel Merritt, a private university in Oakland, California, offers a more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 85%. Columbia's diverse student body comprises 32% international students, while Samuel Merritt's student population is predominantly local, with only 1% international students. Both universities excel in different academic areas; Columbia is renowned for its strength in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while Samuel Merritt specializes in healthcare-related fields such as nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Columbia University |
![]() Samuel Merritt University |
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Overview |
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Location | New York, New York | Oakland, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Trimester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.1% | N/A |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$90
|
SAT range | 1470 - 1570 | N/A |
ACT range | 34 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 28.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 61,110 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,524 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,641 | |
Yield rate | 65.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Not required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $90,882 | |
Average net price | $12,411 | |
Tuition | $60,514 | |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,450
Meal plan:
$6,000
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $57,726 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
7.0%
Average amount $5,511 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $34,119 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,832
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
728
Men 20.6% Women 79.4% |
Graduate students |
24,944
Men 44.8% Women 55.2% |
1,320
Men 26.1% Women 73.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 37.0% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 13,071 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 97.4% | N/A |
Dropout rate | 1.7% | N/A |
Transferred out | 0.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Construction Management (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry (Doctoral Degrees)
Medicine (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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