Oakland offers two public two-year colleges through the Peralta Community College District, but their campuses do not have identical roles. Laney is downtown, near Lake Merritt and the Estuary, and combines transfer study, liberal arts and trade programs. Merritt sits in the Oakland Hills and focuses on health-care training and career education. Both award associate degrees and certificates, offer transfer courses and connect students to district services. This guide explains how to choose between them, what admission involves, what published tuition means and where English learners can begin.
General admission starts with an OpenCCC account and an online application naming the college you plan to attend. Laney says new students normally receive a Peralta student ID by email in about an hour; Merritt advises checking within 24 hours. Complete orientation, meet a counselor to set an education goal and clear prerequisites, then register in Campus Solutions. English and math placement uses multiple measures rather than one universal entrance test. Nursing, radiologic science and some health certificates have additional prerequisites or selection steps. Begin with Laney’s application steps or Merritt’s enrollment guide, then confirm your program’s current checklist.
The current district enrollment fee is $46 per credit unit for California residents. A 12-unit full-time load in fall and another 12 units in spring totals $1,104 in enrollment fees for the year; this is a calculation from the per-unit rate, not a complete bill. Campus, health and transportation charges, books and program expenses are separate. Peralta lists an additional $401 per unit for nonresidents. Eligible California residents can apply for the California College Promise Grant to waive the per-unit enrollment fee; it is not cash and does not erase every charge. Rates can change, so check the district’s fee table and ask a counselor to estimate your own cost.
Financial aid begins with the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, depending on eligibility. Laney’s federal code is 001266 and Merritt’s is 001267. Possible support includes Pell and FSEOG grants, Cal Grant, the California College Promise Grant, work-study and Foundation scholarships. Both colleges list Oakland Promise and East Bay College Fund opportunities for qualifying Oakland public-school graduates; local Rotary and East Bay Consortium/Cal-SOAP awards may suit other applicants. Each program has its own rules and deadlines. Submit aid forms early, answer document requests through the student portal and confirm eligibility before counting an award toward tuition. Peralta’s Promise Grant page explains the fee it waives.
English learners can start gradually. Laney’s free noncredit Basic English sequence has four eight-week levels; it also offers credit ESOL in reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking, plus English for work and college readiness. Merritt’s free Bridge to Credit ESOL also has four eight-week levels, building language, computer, workplace and classroom skills. Guided placement and counseling help students choose where to start. Noncredit study does not earn degree units, while credit ESOL carries units and the applicable per-unit fee. Sections and formats change each term; check Laney ESOL courses and Merritt’s ESOL pathway before enrolling.
Laney lists more than 30 majors and certificates, including construction, carpentry, electrical technology, HVAC, machining, welding, culinary arts, cosmetology, business and liberal arts. Merritt also has more than 30 options, with distinctive programs in nursing, radiologic science, medical assisting, histotechnology, nutrition, social services, EMT, cybersecurity and landscape horticulture. Credits and completion times depend on the award and course sequence. Merritt says its health programs range from six weeks to 23 months; its nursing curriculum takes two years after admission, with prerequisites and GPA and TEAS requirements beforehand. Laney’s map locates admissions, counseling, tutoring, the library, health services, fitness center, gymnasium, food pantry and culinary spaces. Merritt has a Basic Needs Center in Student Center room R-28. Peralta’s shuttle links the campuses; the Fall 2026 schedule estimates about 20 minutes between them. See the Laney profile and Merritt profile for each address, facilities and arrival options.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
At 900 Fallon Street, Laney College’s main campus sits in downtown Oakland between Lake Merritt and the Estuary. The campus map marks bus and BART connections, and Lake Merritt station is nearby. Laney combines transfer study with career education. Founded in 1927 as Central Trade School, it moved t
Laney’s downtown campus brings admissions, counseling, tutoring, financial aid, library, fitness facilities and culinary training together near Lake Merritt.
Merritt College is at 12500 Campus Drive in Oakland’s hills, where campus windows look out over the city and San Francisco Bay. The elevated setting contrasts with Laney’s downtown blocks, and the two Peralta colleges serve different academic needs. Merritt concentrates health-science and career edu
Merritt’s Oakland Hills campus pairs health-science programs with English-language pathways, a student Basic Needs Center and district shuttle service.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
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Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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new-student guide ↗
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Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
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fee schedule ↗
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Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
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financial-aid office ↗
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Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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ESOL course page ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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application and placement page ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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financial aid page ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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scholarship guide ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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ESOL page ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Laney College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Laney College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Peralta Community College District · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Merritt College — Main Campus ↗
Primary source
Merritt College · Accessed October 26, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.