Grossmont College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare Grossmont College in El Cajon, 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 Grossmont College based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 14,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Santa Monica College is in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting).
• Grossmont College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grossmont College 24:1; Santa Monica College 27:1.

Grossmont College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont College 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 Grossmont College ($5,685 vs. $8,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grossmont College are 14.8% lower than at Santa Monica College ($22,086 vs. $25,908).
• Grossmont College is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $176 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at SMC than at Grossmont College (about $80 more per year; $10,708.00 vs. $10,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grossmont College than at Santa Monica College (67% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grossmont College students is 15% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($6,370 vs. $5,540).

Grossmont College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grossmont College 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 Grossmont College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grossmont College - Open admission; SMC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027; SMC Aug 30, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont College 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 $800 more per year than Grossmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($4,500 vs. $6,500).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($46 vs. $67).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grossmont College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 43%)

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.