Design Institute of San Diego vs. Samuel Merritt University

Comparable Facts

Compare Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Samuel Merritt University is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (1,926 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Samuel Merritt University is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Samuel Merritt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Design Institute of San Diego 8:1; Samuel Merritt University 5:1.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Samuel Merritt University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Design Institute of San Diego or Samuel Merritt University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between Design Institute of San Diego and Samuel Merritt University ($29,300.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Design Institute of San Diego and Samuel Merritt University ($29,300.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego than at Samuel Merritt University (100% vs. 0%).

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Samuel Merritt University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Design Institute of San Diego or Samuel Merritt University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Samuel Merritt University and Design Institute of San Diego.

• Design Institute of San Diego reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission; Samuel Merritt University - Not reported.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Samuel Merritt University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Design Institute of San Diego and Samuel Merritt University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Design Institute of San Diego's six-year graduation rate is 62%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Samuel Merritt University.
• Graduates from Samuel Merritt University earn a median of about $71,800 more per year than Design Institute of San Diego graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have a $21,835 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($18,750 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, Samuel Merritt University graduates have an estimated $226 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($193 vs. $419).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Design Institute of San Diego students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 68%)

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.