Public · Mostly associate degrees · Small city

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, California. 21,440 undergraduates.

California colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
23%Graduation rate15 pts below the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$1,693Average net price per year83% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$46,589Median earnings 10 years after starting3% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
—Median debt at graduation

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$1,621
$30,000–$48,000$1,036
$48,001–$75,000$2,372
$75,001–$110,000$5,646
Over $110,000$11,807

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $1,158 in-state, $10,710 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate23%38%
Return for second year—64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$37,932$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$46,589$45,146
Median debt at graduation—$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

92 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing65—$111,732—
Business Administration, Management and Operations398—$58,550—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities5,041—$45,800—
Communication and Media Studies254—$43,016—
Biological and Physical Sciences374—$40,384—
Natural Resources Conservation and Research11———
Architectural Sciences and Technology9———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies6———
Journalism21———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication8———
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication15———
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians10———
Graphic Communications28———
Computer Programming45———
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications9———
Computer Science45———
Computer Software and Media Applications5———
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services16———
Special Education and Teaching22———
Engineering, General8———
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians3———
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians1———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1———
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services9———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services62———
Apparel and Textiles14———
Legal Support Services2———
Mathematics20———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness19———
Psychology, General198———
Criminal Justice and Corrections48———
Anthropology24———
Economics75———
Geography and Cartography9———
International Relations and National Security Studies7———
Political Science and Government124———
Sociology80———
Visual and Performing Arts, General25———
Dance5———
Design and Applied Arts75———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft24———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts107———
Fine and Studio Arts152———
Music16———
Health and Medical Administrative Services12———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions11———
Accounting and Related Services59———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services7———
Insurance2———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations11———
History59———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in California

Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmar · net price $3,881 · grad rate 24%Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara · net price $2,684 · grad rate 32%San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton · net price $2,451 · grad rate 34%Madera Community CollegeMadera · net price $1,879 · grad rate 37%College of AlamedaAlameda · net price $294 · grad rate 31%Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield · net price $4,330 · grad rate 20%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Santa Monica College cost per year?
The average net price at Santa Monica College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $1,693 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Santa Monica College graduates earn?
Former Santa Monica College students earn a median of $46,589 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Monica College?
23% of Santa Monica College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.