The College of Health Sciences prepares students for a range of healthcare careers, each with its own educational path and earning potential. National median salaries include $135,880 for physician assistants, $102,760 for physical therapists, and $100,330 for occupational therapists, based on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. BLS projects employment in all three professions to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
We believe you should understand the cost of your education before you commit. Your total program tuition is fixed when you enroll and won't increase as long as you stay on track—no mid-program tuition increases. Financial aid and federal loan programs can help eligible students manage the cost of their education.
Salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
$100k+
Median salaries
Price locked
At enrollment
85%
Receive aid
Tuition
Total program pricing for cohorts starting July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Tuition is fixed for the length of the program and assessed per-unit each term.
| Program | Total Units | Total Program Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BHS) | 60 | $45,844 |
| Master Physician Assistant (MPA) | 88 | $170,003 |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | 55 | $63,113 |
| Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | 71.5 | $119,483 |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | 100.5 | $165,203 |
| Master of Health Administration (MHA) | 36 | $43,200 |
| Master of Science Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) | 35 | $42,000 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) | 60 | $67,040 |
What's Included
Included
Tuition and all standard program fees (including books, graduation fees) in one number.
Not included
Healthcare and parking are billed separately.
How the Guarantee Works
- One published price for your entire program.
- Locked for the full length of your degree - no annual tuition increases.
- Assumes continuous enrollment and normal progression through the official program of study.
- If you fall behind cohort (leave of absence, course failure, reduced enrollment, or program extension), you may be reassigned to a later cohort and charged that cohort's pricing.
Application Fees & Deposits
Non-refundable, whether or not you enroll or attend.
| Application Fee - Master of Biomedical Sciences (3rd-party vendor) | $141 |
| Application Fee - Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (3rd-party vendor) | $80 |
| Application Fee - Master Physician Assistant (3rd-party vendor) | $184 |
| Application Fee - Master of Social Work Program (3rd-party vendor) | $45 |
| Application Fee - Doctor of Occupational Therapy (3rd-party vendor) | $169 |
| Application Fee - Doctor of Physical Therapy (3rd-party vendor) | $175 |
| Application Fee - Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking (Payable to Samuel Merritt University) | $50 |
| Tuition Deposit - Undergraduate & Graduate | $350 |
Additional Fees
| Audit Fee - Theory Course | $100 |
| Audit Fee - Clinical Course | $150 |
| Audit Fee - Synthesis Continuation Fee | $100 |
| Returned Check Fee | $25 |
