American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Monica College is larger than American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Santa Monica College is in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting).
• American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is a private, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles 12:1; Santa Monica College 27:1.

American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles or SMC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Santa Monica College than American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles ($5,685 vs. $41,890).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles are 41.9% lower than at Santa Monica College ($15,055 vs. $25,908).
• American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is 3,416.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $39,494 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 279.6% higher at American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles than at Santa Monica College (about $29,942 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $10,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles than at Santa Monica College (98% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles students is 158.7% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($14,330 vs. $5,540).

American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles or SMC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMC and American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles.

• Santa Monica College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles - Test-free; SMC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMC Aug 30, 2027.

American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles and SMC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Santa Monica College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $31,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Monica College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates ($6,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates ($67 vs. $124).
• More American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.