Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$6,625
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $1,156 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $9,316 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $11,556 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,746 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | No |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
25%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,650
25%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,883
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$1,041
62%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1,823
37%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,883
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
1%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$4,807
Students receiving federal loans
1%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,807
Average Other Loans Per Year
$9,417
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$5,500
Loan Default Rate
6%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$69
What Students Are Saying
I get financial aid, but I still have to pay for my books, which tend to be worth an arm and a leg. Still, I believe that SMC is one of the best junior colleges in Southern California. The location is amazing, who doesnt like an ocean breeze?, the facility is overall maintained well, many teachers leave a great lasting impression, and the school boasts about being #1 in transfers to UCLA. This definitley is a great school to choose to attend if planning on transferring.
Amanda from Los Angeles, CA
Santa Monica College is, in my opinion and according to several sources, probably one of the best community colleges in California and even in the US.
But you probably already know that and would like to learn things that you did not already read 200 times, I will try to help you with that.
If you are looking for the best teachers in California or the most beautiful school in the area, this is not the place. Why so ? because it is a community college, not a 4 year university. However, lots of people who come to SMC for the 1st time say things like Duuuuude, your school looks like a 4 year university, that's awesome , Wow they have like clubs and stuff happening like all over the place, that's insane or Free pizza ? Really ? Hell yeah !. So, as you probably understood, SMC tries to make the students feel as if they were already in a 4 year university. Teachers also do that in class by making their tests similar to tests you would take in a 4 year university. My history teacher said we don't want you guys to freak out when you arrive at UCLA or CSUN and see all of the homework you have to do and all of the research papers you have to write, that's why we'll start this right now. This might sound a bit scary but, since most students are here to transfer, I believe this is definitely a plus.
If you're reading this as an international student, you might like to know that most of the international students are form Korea, China and Korea but you can meet students from I believe every single continent. They're always happy to meet other international students since most of them got here on their own and did not know anyone else either when they arrived.
Even though we do not have dorms on campus, it is pretty easy to meet people and make friends here. Lots of people hang out at the quad, which is right in the middle of campus, clubs are also pretty popular and most teachers will ask you to work in groups at some point so you will necessarily end up meeting people a...
But you probably already know that and would like to learn things that you did not already read 200 times, I will try to help you with that.
If you are looking for the best teachers in California or the most beautiful school in the area, this is not the place. Why so ? because it is a community college, not a 4 year university. However, lots of people who come to SMC for the 1st time say things like Duuuuude, your school looks like a 4 year university, that's awesome , Wow they have like clubs and stuff happening like all over the place, that's insane or Free pizza ? Really ? Hell yeah !. So, as you probably understood, SMC tries to make the students feel as if they were already in a 4 year university. Teachers also do that in class by making their tests similar to tests you would take in a 4 year university. My history teacher said we don't want you guys to freak out when you arrive at UCLA or CSUN and see all of the homework you have to do and all of the research papers you have to write, that's why we'll start this right now. This might sound a bit scary but, since most students are here to transfer, I believe this is definitely a plus.
If you're reading this as an international student, you might like to know that most of the international students are form Korea, China and Korea but you can meet students from I believe every single continent. They're always happy to meet other international students since most of them got here on their own and did not know anyone else either when they arrived.
Even though we do not have dorms on campus, it is pretty easy to meet people and make friends here. Lots of people hang out at the quad, which is right in the middle of campus, clubs are also pretty popular and most teachers will ask you to work in groups at some point so you will necessarily end up meeting people a...
Caroline from Santa Monica, CA
The only problem I had with the financial part of this school is that I was an out of state student and it was hard for me to be classified as instate. The out of state tuition is about ten times more than the instate price so I did not think that it was fair. Although, if I were an instate student, I think this is the best deal for a junior college because of the great education at a good price. Even though it was more expensive for me, I still think that SMC has the value to be worth the out of state tuition. Another negative is that the Santa Monica/ West LA area is expensive in general. Therefore, the living expenses to go to this school is not fair.
Eun from Suwanee, GA
Absolutely worth every penny!
Maxwell from Los Angeles, CA
Personally because I am not an international student I think the prices are great. Although recently because of the budget cuts the prices have increased dramatically I still believe its reasonable. For international students I cannot say the same thing. Santa Monica College is a really expensive school for internationals. They pay more than 3,000 dollars.
A California
To pay for school doesn't have to cost you an eye outta your face. Classes are very cheap at only $26 and tuition is not going to hit you in the face. Taking at least two years at Santa Monica College will save you a lot of money as for you wont have to pay thousands like in 4 year universities. Although, there is plenty of financial aid available for students that qualify for it. This will make it easier for you and wont have to spend your money on books witch do cost a lot. By the way you do not have to buy the books straight from the student book store as you can buy books from your fellow students and classmates. You can also sell your books back to the book store or to other students that need it.
Jesus from Los Angeles, CA
The biggest bang for your buck is the Associates Students Sticker which is only $19.50. It gives you access to free rides on every big blue bus, cheap movie tickets, and more. Even though books are expensive at school but SMC has the option of selling back your books for almost half of what you paid for it. Students are always looking to sell books for way cheaper than what the book store sells it for.
Michelle from Los Angeles, CA
I have not been to many other campuses, but Santa Monica College does seem to be top-notch. SMC has gorgeous landscaping throughout, fountains, state-of-the-art sports facilities, and a successful theater. The massive library, architecturally and administratively, seems to promote a healthy study habit among all students.
Jessica from Los Angeles, CA
classes are so much less expensive than at uc's or other colleges.
Christina from Los Angeles, CA
International Student's pay about $3700 (in 2011) for a semester. Good deal compared to 7k, 10k and 25k of CSU, UC and USC.
Harshana from Westwood, CA
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