Santa Monica College

1900 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Santa Monica College strives to create a learning environment that both challenges our students and supports them in achieving their educational goals. We prepare our students to contribute to the global community as they develop an understanding of their personal relationship to the world’s social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and natural environments.

School Highlights

Santa Monica College serves 25,948 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is same as the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 25,948 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,176
  • Out-state tuition: $7,836
  • Student:teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 74%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Santa Monica College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 1,229 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Santa Monica College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
1,229 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Santa Monica College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Santa Monica College has declined by 5% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 has decreased from 22:1 over five years.
The Santa Monica College diversity score of 0.77 is more than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
25,948 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Santa Monica College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Santa Monica College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
10,005 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Santa Monica College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
15,943 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Santa Monica College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Santa Monica College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
194 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
10,005 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Santa Monica College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
15,943 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% Asian
10%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
35%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
5%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
26%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
17%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Santa Monica College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Santa Monica College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.77
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Santa Monica College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
28%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Santa Monica College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
19.33%
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,100
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Santa Monica College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,176 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,836 is more than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,176
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Santa Monica College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,836
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Santa Monica College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
66%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Santa Monica College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,750
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Santa Monica College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Santa Monica College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • To fulfill this mission, the College provides open and affordable access to excellent associate degree and occupational certificate programs. These programs prepare students for successful careers, develop college-level skills, enable transfer to universities, and foster a personal commitment to lifelong learning. We have an impressive academic record. We are the leader among the state's 108 community colleges in transferring students to the University of California , University of Southern California and other four-year campuses. We also pride ourselves on preparing students for careers of the 21st century – in such fields as nursing, computer applications, early childhood education, business, accounting, graphic design and other occupations. Set on a 38-acre main campus less than two miles from the beach, Santa Monica College has everything today's student needs to succeed – computer labs, athletic facilities, performing and visual arts spaces, and active student clubs. The SMC Library underwent a $23.6 million expansion and modernization and reopened in August 2003 as a state-of-the-art, architecturally praised facility. Our Science Complex, which opened in fall 1999, features the latest in equipment and high-tech labs. Our award-winning faculty works closely with students to ensure their success, and we have numerous student services to help students meet their goals. Santa Monica College – a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges – opened in 1929 with just 153 students. It has now grown to a thriving campus with 25,000 students and offerings in more than 80 fields of study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Santa Monica College cost?
Santa Monica College's tuition is approximately $1,176 for In-State students and $7,836 for Out-State students.
What is Santa Monica College's ranking?
Santa Monica College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Diversity in US community colleges, Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 25,948 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,176
  • Out-state tuition: $7,836
  • Student:teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 74%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For Los Angeles County, CA public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,305 per year for in-state students and $8,200 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $24,360 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Los Angeles County, CA is 75%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Los Angeles County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.61, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Los Angeles County, CA is FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Los Angeles. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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