Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, CA

Public large campus City: Small 21,440 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$2,779per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
3%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
26%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$6,450federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
47%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $6,450. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $75 a month, about $8,987 repaid in total, of which $2,537 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $46 a month — but the total climbs to $13,676, roughly $4,689 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Santa Monica College’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$1,156published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$10,708published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$42,19310 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
City: Small
Residential character
Primarily commuter — most students live off campus

Most common fields of study

  • Liberal arts & humanities49%
  • Business & marketing9%
  • Visual & performing arts6%
  • Social sciences5%
  • Family & consumer sciences3%
  • Computer & information sciences3%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

CCCAA

  • Basketball
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Cross Country
  • Diving
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Santa Monica College. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$75per month

Total repaid
$8,987
Interest paid
$2,537

Longer term — 25 years

$46per month

Total repaid
$13,676
Interest paid
$7,226

Borrow $6,450 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $4,689 more — $13,676 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Santa Monica College.