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Santa Monica College
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$1,156
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
Open
Open Admission
Graduation Rate
34.0%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$42,193
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Santa Monica College is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Santa Monica, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $1,156, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 34.0% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
How to Apply
Open Admission
No minimum GPA, test scores, or essays required. Apply directly and you're in.
Open admission. No GPA, test scores, or essays required. CA residents: $46/unit. CA College Promise Grant can reduce to $0. 5-step onboarding: apply, orientation, placement, counselor meeting, register.
Application Fee
Free
Financial Aid Priority
March 2, 2026
Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: Santa Monica College Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with Santa Monica College before applying.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$4,624
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
0.4 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$12,193
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$117,306
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$239,236
Long-term projected return on your education investment
Graduation Rate: 34%
Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Santa Monica College is $6,450.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
7
Burglary
1
Theft
0
Assault
4
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
2
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$1,156
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
0.0%
Success
34.0%
In-State Cost
$1,156
Age 25+ Students
33.0%
Carnegie Class
Carnegie 14
Working at 6yr
4,266 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.