Colleges in Oakland, California
10 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 10 colleges and universities in Oakland, California (6 Private nonprofit, 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 10 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $19,767 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 31.2%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 58% of applicants.
The median net price in Oakland runs about $945 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Oakland, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$19,767
After aid
Median grad rate
31.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
58%
Median enrollment
591
Undergrad
All colleges in Oakland
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laney College Oakland, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $17,110 | 31.2% | Not available | 6,842 | Partial | |
| Merritt College Oakland, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $14,021 | 26.4% | Not available | 5,288 | Partial | |
| Reach University Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $22,423 | Not available | 100% | 1,946 | Partial | |
| Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 718 | Partial | |
| Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $25,181 | Not available | 17% | 464 | Complete | |
| Moler Barber College Oakland, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $23,361 | 22.6% | Not available | 411 | Partial | |
| Lincoln University Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | 100.0% | Not available | 204 | Partial | |
| International College of Cosmetology Oakland, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $5,917 | 62.1% | Not available | 113 | Partial | |
| Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing | |
| Starr King School for the Ministry Oakland, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (6)
Private nonprofit colleges in Oakland are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Reach UniversityNet price: $22,423Grad: Not available
- Samuel Merritt UniversityNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Northeastern University OaklandNet price: $25,181Grad: Not available
- Lincoln UniversityNet price: Not availableGrad: 100.0%
- Academy of Chinese Culture and Health SciencesNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Starr King School for the MinistryNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Oakland are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Laney CollegeNet price: $17,110Grad: 31.2%
- Merritt CollegeNet price: $14,021Grad: 26.4%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Oakland operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Moler Barber CollegeNet price: $23,361Grad: 22.6%
- International College of CosmetologyNet price: $5,917Grad: 62.1%
Top programs in Oakland
Most-completed programs across Oakland colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts18.9% of degrees
- Health professions14.8% of degrees
- Social sciences9.9% of degrees
- Business9.7% of degrees
- Family & consumer sci7.9% of degrees
- Personal services6.8% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary4.0% of degrees
- English2.7% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Oakland
Q.How many colleges are in Oakland, California?
There are 10 colleges and universities in Oakland, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 6 Private nonprofit, 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Oakland?
By undergraduate enrollment, Laney College is the largest institution in Oakland with roughly 6,842 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Oakland?
Based on average net price after aid, International College of Cosmetology is the most affordable institution in Oakland at $5,917 per year.
Q.Which Oakland college has the highest graduation rate?
Lincoln University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Oakland institutions at 100.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Oakland?
The median net price across all 10 colleges in Oakland is $19,767 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Oakland?
Across Oakland colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Social sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in Oakland?
Yes — Oakland includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Oakland that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.