College Search
Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA · City · 21,440 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$2,779
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
36%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
35% typical
$42,193
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$40,669 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
About

Santa Monica College (SMC) is nationally renowned as California’s leading transfer institution, consistently ranking as the number-one feeder school to the University of California system, particularly UCLA. The college offers standout academic pathways in business, film and media production, nursing, and STEM, including a pioneering Bachelor of Science degree in Interaction Design. Campus life is vibrant, diverse, and globally minded, shaped by one of the largest international student populations in the country and a prime coastal location near Los Angeles’s "Silicon Beach" creative and tech hubs. Supported by extensive counseling and specialized transfer centers, SMC provides an accessible, high-achieving environment designed to propel students directly into elite four-year universities and competitive career fields.

Wikipedia:Santa Monica College (SMC) is a public community college in Santa Monica, California. Founded as a junior college in 1929, SMC enrolls over 30,000 students in more than 90 fields of study. The college initially served pre-college high school students, eventually expanding its enrollment to educate college-age and non-traditional students with the intention to transfer to a four-year university. The college has high transfer rates to four-year universities, such as the University of California and California State University campuses, being a leader among state community colleges in transfers to the former.

Location
Santa Monica, CA, 90405-1628 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
LAX · Los Angeles
6 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$1,156$10,708
Books & supplies$1,746$1,746
Cost of attendance$11,162$20,714 est.
Average net price$2,779Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$10,708
In-state: $1,156
Books & supplies$1,746
Cost of attendance$20,714 est.
In-state: $11,162
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $2,779
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$1,896
$30–48k
$2,442
$48–75k
$4,440
$75–110k
$7,087
$110k+
$8,395
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
36%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
5%
Transferred
15%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
47% graduated · 17% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 35% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$31,977
10 yrs after entry$42,193
Debt
Median at graduation$6,450
Monthly payment$68
Middle 50% owe$3.5k–$6.8k
90th percentile$11,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate/Associate's: 35% graduate within 6 yrs, $40,669 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

Wondering if Santa Monica College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Santa Monica College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 45%Women 55%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
27 : 1
Pell grant
26%
First-gen
50%
Family income
$16,926
Independent
27%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
57%
Race & ethnicity
White
26%
Hispanic
41%
Black
9%
Asian
8%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
8%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
CCCAA · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$31,977
After 10 yrs
$42,193
Visual and Performing Arts, Other27
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$18M
Full-time faculty
29%
Faculty salary
$14,243/mo
Teaching spend
$8,852
per student
Federal loans
3%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate/Associate's
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, mostly part-time

Wondering if Santa Monica College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search