Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a nonprofit university focused on preparing healthcare professionals. Its new downtown Oakland campus is the center of a four-campus network serving Northern California, with programs that combine classroom learning, simulation, and clinical placements. SMU is especially relevant to applicants who already have college coursework or a first degree and want a focused path into a health profession: the university says it does not provide the first two years of a traditional bachelor’s degree, and many programs require prerequisite courses before application.

Health careers and program choices

SMU’s three academic colleges offer a wide range of clinical and health-sector pathways. Nursing includes the BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, graduate nurse-practitioner and leadership tracks, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. The College of Health Sciences offers physical and occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, biomedical sciences, health administration, social work, marriage and family therapy, and a Bachelor of Health Sciences. The College of Podiatric Medicine offers the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. These are professional programs with different prerequisite courses, application services, campus locations, clinical schedules, and licensure outcomes; check the program itself before assuming that one route or deadline applies to another. Use the current program finder to compare degree level, campus, and delivery format, then review the specific admissions requirements.

Program costs and financial help

SMU publishes total program pricing for students starting in 2026–27. As examples, the accelerated BSN is listed at $109,200, the Master Physician Assistant at $170,003, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy at $165,203. These are program totals, not annual tuition; included fees vary by program, and the Health Sciences figures include standard fees and books but exclude healthcare and parking. The listed price assumes continuous enrollment and normal progression, so a leave, failed course, or extended timeline may move a student to a later cohort’s pricing. SMU reports that 87% of undergraduates receive financial assistance and that it awards more than $12 million in scholarships and grants. Need- and merit-based awards, federal and private loans, work-study, and military benefits are among the listed options. File the FAFSA with school code 007012 early, compare your award with the program’s full cost, and ask whether a scholarship is renewable. Current rates and aid steps are on the university’s tuition and financial-aid page.

Admission planning and student support

Because entry requirements are program-specific, begin by checking prerequisites, clinical screening, and the application service used for the degree you want. Nursing applications, for example, use NursingCAS; other programs may use a different centralized service. Prospective students can book a conversation with Admissions or attend an information session before paying nonrefundable application fees or deposits. SMU also lists an emergency-assistance scholarship for current students facing a sudden hardship; it is awarded case by case and does not cover a tuition shortfall or recurring living expenses. Its food pantry offers another practical support option at Oakland, with access arrangements differing by campus. The university’s application page routes applicants to the right process, and the Admissions team can help clarify program fit before you submit.

Oakland campus and Northern California locations

Oakland (main campus): 525 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607; general phone (800) 607-6377; local Oakland line (510) 879-9200. The university lists campus hours Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.; arrange a tour or appointment before traveling because building access and program offices can differ. The current campus page also lists Sacramento at 2710 N. Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95833 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.); Fresno at 1791 E. Fir Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720 (Mon–Thu, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.); and the San Francisco Peninsula campus at 989 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.). The central university number serves these campuses. SMU also offers online programs; see its campus directory and directions for current parking, campus access, and program availability.

Student perspectives to weigh

Student accounts describe the appeal of hands-on health training, close professional cohorts, and the chance to build experience through clinical education. Some nursing students also raise concerns about the high total cost and the amount of independent or online learning in particular program formats; applicants should not assume that every course meets in person. These comments are tied to specific degrees and cohorts, so ask current students how much instruction takes place in labs, online, and at clinical sites, and whether placements are arranged locally or require travel. Check several recent student reviews alongside program outcomes and accreditation information before deciding.