Santa Monica College
About Santa Monica College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Santa Monica College sends more students to the University of California than any other community college, and more to UCLA than any other college of any kind. It is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and the sciences, business and psychology are its largest programs.
Founded
1929
Location
Santa Monica, California
Students
21,440
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
36.3%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,156
Out-of-state: $10,708
Avg Net Price
$2,779
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$42,193
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
36.3% complete their degree within three years
Retention
Not reported
Transfer Out
14.9%
The federal survey collects no first-year retention cohort for this college.
Teaching Quality
27:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
29%
$/Student
$8.9K
Class Size
Large
The 36.3% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,156
In-State
$10,708
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,746
Total Cost of Attendance
$11,162
After Financial Aid
$2,779
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$1,896
Receive Grants
25.6%
Take Loans
3.3%
Tuition is $1,156/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $2,779.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Santa Monica College fund their education.
While in School
25.6%
Get Grants
Free money
3.3%
Take Loans
Must repay
$16,926
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$6,450
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$68/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $6,450, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Santa Monica College.
Gender
55.4%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
21,440
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
50.2%
First-Gen
22 yrs
Avg Age
33%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 55% of the student body. 50.2% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 7.9% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
21,440
Students
community
Institution
Large
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Santa Monica College fields 12 varsity teams with 407 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
407
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
63% / 37%
255
Men
152
Women
8
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Santa Monica Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$42,193
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$47K
2960 grads
4yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
383 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$49K
311 grads
4yr Earnings
Psychology, General
—
191 grads
Political Science and Government
—
140 grads
Communication and Media Studies
$29K
135 grads
4yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $32K six years out, growing to $42K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Monica College
How much does Santa Monica College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Santa Monica College?▾
How much do Santa Monica College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.