Graduation Rates Merritt College vs. San Antonio College

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I am looking for some advice. I have recently been accepted into Merritt College (Oakland, CA) and San Antonio College (SA, TX) for their ADN programs. I am weighing the pros and cons of which school to attend. I can't seem to find a website containing graduation rates for nursing programs and hire rates of graduates. That will be a huge factor in my decision. Could someone please point me in the right direction?

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Just look into your overall QOL and the chances of finding a good paying job after graduation. Chances are San Antonio will hold up better under the scrutiny than will Oakland.

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I don't know anything about San Antonio College. I do know some things about Merritt College. I highly encourage you to search out various threads on this board about that school.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
I don't know anything about San Antonio College. I do know some things about Merritt College. I highly encourage you to search out various threads on this board about that school.

Here's one of those threads:

https://allnurses.com/ca-nursing-programs/merritt-college-adn-530303.html

I live in Oakland, and the comments on this thread are consistent with what I've heard about Merritt College. I don't know the exact drop out rate, but I hear it's quite high. And the SF Bay Area is probably one of the toughest markets in the country to get a job as a new grad RN. I know nothing about San Antonio College either, but my guess is that it would almost have to be a better option.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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I, too, was accepted to Merritt, but I will not be attending, since I have been accepted elsewhere and have heard not-so-great things about the program. I have copied and pasted an article from 2008 published in the East Bay Express that pretty much sums up what I have heard from other people that I trust. Also, I went to talk to the nursing program reps in person in hopes of learning more about their program, but let's just say just I got a not-so-lovely reception unfortunately :( I have heard, though, that not all the teachers are bad; I guess there are just a few bads eggs that spoil the bunch. So, perhaps, it is all just hype.

I have also copied and pasted the respective BON websites for CA and TX, which will have at the very least NCLEX pass rates (not individual school drop rates).

Best of luck! Work hard, and I am sure you will go far where ever you go :)

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/eastbay/merritt-college-nursing-woes/Content?oid=1092251

http://www.rn.ca.gov/

http://www.bne.state.tx.us/

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Specializes in Pediatric respite care, bariatrics.

I don't know what the graduation or hire rates are for those schools, but you can check what their NCLEX pass rates are. This is the link to the RN CA board site, select the link that says "NLEX Pass Rates" and it will give you the pass rates for each RN program from 2005-2010. http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/index.shtml

While it won't give you info on how well prepared their students are to be successful RNs, you'll at least know how the students do on their NCLEX and how well prepared you can expect to be. :specs:

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i can speak for san antonio college if it's the one in san antonio, texas. i'm an alumnus and upon graduation i was hired in less than a week. most of the students i graduated with had also gotten externships during the last semester of school and upon board certification were hired full time. i was a little different as i was an lvn to begin with and was hired through the same hospital system i worked in. i can assure you that, if you make it through nursing school, pass the nclex and get licensed you will have two little letters at the end of your name that will guarantee that no matter where you go; you will be able to get a job, it might not be your dream job but it will put food on the table, a roof over your head and money in your pocket until you find your dream job.

good luck.

brian parker r.n.

school nurse

harlandale high school clinic

san antonio, tx

[email protected]

"health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - w.h.o

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I am looking for some advice. I have recently been accepted into Merritt College (Oakland, CA) and San Antonio College (SA, TX) for their ADN programs. I am weighing the pros and cons of which school to attend. I can't seem to find a website containing graduation rates for nursing programs and hire rates of graduates. That will be a huge factor in my decision. Could someone please point me in the right direction?

Did Merritt College send out their acceptance letters? when did you get yours? I am still waiting for mine!

I am happy for your acceptance, Congratulations:)

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I have been selected too at Merritt College. very excited! congratulations to you all starting this fall. Pl. let me know if interested - anybody who lives in Marin County - and will be going to this college in Oakland.

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Well I decided to go with Merritt due to financial restrictions preventing me from relocating back to San Antonio. Started in August and I am plugging along. It is challenging. I will find out my fate on Friday after exam #2. Thanks for all who posted in response to this.

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So how is Merritt's program? Is it as bad as most of the reviews state? Considering regardless where you go, the Nursing program will be challenging. Are you still at Merritt?

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