Santa Monica College

www.smc.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$1,104

2021 Average Net Price

$6,380

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

3.87%

Default Rate

2021 Enrolled Students

23,408

37.6% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

31.9%

1,092 Graduates

About

Santa Monica College is a higher education institution located in Los Angeles County, CA. In 2021, the most popular 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate concentrations at Santa Monica College were Liberal Arts & Sciences (3,496 degrees awarded), Child Care Provider (67 degrees), and Archeology (19 degrees).

In 2021, 8,388 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Santa Monica College. 62.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (3,248 degrees), 1.54 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (2,115 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Santa Monica College is $1,104, which is $−6,864 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional Associates Colleges

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Santa Monica College is $1,104, which is $−6,864 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $6,380.

In 2021, 53% of undergraduate students attending Santa Monica College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 1% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$1,104

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Santa Monica College was $1,104. The cost of tuition at Santa Monica College is $−6,864 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Associates Colleges ($7,968).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Santa Monica College (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$6,380

2021 Value

3.7%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Santa Monica College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $6,380. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Santa Monica College grew by 3.7%.

This chart compares the average net price of Santa Monica College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,556

Room and Board

$1,746

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Santa Monica College was of $11,556 in 2021. The cost of room and board did not change between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,746. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Santa Monica College (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

53%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

53% of undergraduate students at Santa Monica College received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2020, when 53% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Santa Monica College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

3.87%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Santa Monica College was 3.87%, which represents 15 out of the 388 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Enrollment

Santa Monica College had a total enrollment of 23,408 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Santa Monica College is 8,812 students and the part-time enrollment is 14,596. This means that 37.6% of students enrolled at Santa Monica College are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Santa Monica College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 41.7% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% White, 9.21% Asian, 8.41% Black or African American, 5.22% Two or More Races, 0.171% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.15% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Santa Monica College in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (22.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (16.7%) and White Female (11.4%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

37.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Santa Monica College in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 23,408 students. The full-time enrollment at Santa Monica College is 8,812 and the part-time enrollment is 14,596. This means that 37.6% of students enrolled at Santa Monica College are enrolled full-time compared with 32.5% at similar Associates Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Santa Monica College (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

100%

2020 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Santa Monica College was 100%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Associates Colleges (60%), Santa Monica College had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Santa Monica College (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
9,761 enrolled students
White
6,174 enrolled students
Asian
2,156 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Santa Monica College is 41.7% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% White, 9.21% Asian, 8.41% Black or African American, 5.22% Two or More Races, 0.171% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.15% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Associates Colleges is 44.1% White, 26.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.5% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 821 students (3.51%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 2,136 more women than men received degrees from Santa Monica College. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Santa Monica College is hispanic or latino (3,248 degrees awarded). There were 1.54 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (2115 degrees).

The most common 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate concentration at Santa Monica College is Liberal Arts & Sciences (3,496 degrees awarded), followed by Child Care Provider (67 degrees) and Archeology (19 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Santa Monica College, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Liberal Arts & Humanities (4,988 degrees awarded), Human Sciences (427 degrees), and Communication Technologies (111 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Santa Monica College are Elementary & middle school teachers (217,718 people), Other managers (139,392 people), Graphic designers (94,790 people), Postsecondary teachers (82,302 people), and Secondary school teachers (74,919 people).

The most specialized majors at Santa Monica College in 2021 are Liberal Arts & Humanities (4,988 degrees awarded), Human Sciences (427 degrees), Communication Technologies (111 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (405 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (330 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Santa Monica College are Surgeons, Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

The most specialized majors at Santa Monica College are Liberal Arts & Humanities (4,988 degrees awarded), Human Sciences (427 degrees), Communication Technologies (111 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (405 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (330 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Santa Monica College are Elementary & secondary schools (436,025 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (202,154 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (170,573 people), Computer Systems Design (120,952 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (81,606 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Santa Monica College.

Most Common (2021)

Liberal Arts & Sciences
977 degree-majors awarded
Humanistic Studies
515 degree-majors awarded
Biological & Physical Sciences
405 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common associates degree concentration at Santa Monica College was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 977 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Santa Monica College according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,126

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

5,262

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 3,126 degrees were awarded to men at Santa Monica College, which is 0.594 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (5,262).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Santa Monica College by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 1740 degrees were awarded to men at Santa Monica College in Liberal Arts & Sciences, which is 0.637 times less than the 2733 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 2733 degrees were awarded to men at Santa Monica College in Liberal Arts & Sciences, which is 1.57 times more than the 1740 male recipients with that same degree.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (45.9%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Santa Monica College is Female and Asian (45.9% graduation rate). Across all Associates Colleges, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.549% of graduates (6 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
3,248 degrees awarded
White
2,115 degrees awarded
Asian
861 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Santa Monica College is hispanic or latino (3,248 degrees awarded). There were 1.54 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white (2115 degrees).

5.19% of degree recipients (435 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

Hispanic or Latino Female
2,130 degrees awarded
White Female
1,319 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Male
1,118 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Santa Monica College is hispanic or latino female (2,130 degrees awarded). There were 1.61 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1319 degrees).

Operations

Santa Monica College has an endowment valued at nearly $16.5M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 24.1k (0.146%) compared to the 1.65% average return (87.6k on 5.29M) across all Associates Colleges.

In 2021, Santa Monica College had a total salary expenditure of 400M. Santa Monica College employs 311 Instructors. Most academics at Santa Monica College are Female Instructor (178), and Male Instructor (133).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Santa Monica College are: Office and Administrative Support, with 168 employees, Service, with 101 employees, and Management with 93 employees.

Endowment

$16.5M

2021 Endowment

23.3%

growth from 2020

Santa Monica College has an endowment valued at about $16.5M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Santa Monica College grew 23.3% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $11.2M higher than than the median endowment of Associates Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Santa Monica College (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$32.8M - Federal
$26.8M - State
$314k - Local

As of 2021, Santa Monica College received $32.8M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $26.8M from state grants and contracts, and $314k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$134M

2021 Salaries

5.16%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Santa Monica College paid a median of $134M in salaries, which represents 33.5% of their overall expenditure ($400M) and a 5.16% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Associates Colleges is 16.4M (41.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$37.3M

Instructional Salaries

311

Number of Employees

In 2021, Santa Monica College paid a total of $37.3M to 311 employees working as instructors, which represents 27.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $5.1M (31.2%) for similar Associates Colleges.

Occupations by Share

Instructor

Most Common Instructor

311 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

168 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Santa Monica College was Instructor with 311 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Santa Monica College were Office and Administrative Support with 168 employees, Service with 101 employees, and Management with 93 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Female Instructor
Male Instructor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Santa Monica College was Female Instructor with 178 employees, and Male Instructor with 133 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Santa Monica College.