City Rankings
Best Colleges in Oakland, California
Top colleges in Oakland ranked by national standing and graduate outcomes -- updated 2026.
Colleges listed: 6
Avg grad earnings: $74,229
Top Colleges in Oakland
Nationally ranked schools appear first. Remaining schools are ordered by median graduate earnings.
| # | School | Grad Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern University Oakland #301 national | $92,538 |
| 2 | Merritt College #1138 national | $44,392 |
| 3 | Reach University #1652 national | N/A |
| 4 | Laney College #1922 national | $37,282 |
| 5 | Samuel Merritt University | $143,238 |
| 6 | Lincoln University | $53,695 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Excludes for-profit institutions.
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