Hartnell College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hartnell College in Salinas, CA with Smith Chason College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hartnell College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (11,273 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hartnell College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hartnell College 22:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Hartnell College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell College or Smith Chason College? 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 Hartnell College than Smith Chason College ($5,246 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 23.7% lower than at Hartnell College ($22,086 vs. $28,953).
• Smith Chason College is 1,256.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hartnell College (about $17,636 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,404.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.5% higher at Smith Chason College than at Hartnell College (about $8,666 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $10,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at Smith Chason College (94% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($6,731 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hartnell College or Smith Chason College? 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 Smith Chason College and Hartnell College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hartnell College - Open admission; Smith Chason College - Open admission.

Hartnell College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell College and Smith Chason College? 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 27%)

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.