Irvine Valley College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

Irvine Valley College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (13,018 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Irvine Valley College is located in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Irvine Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Irvine Valley College 31:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Irvine Valley College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Irvine Valley 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 Irvine Valley College than Smith Chason College ($5,821 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 14.3% lower than at Irvine Valley College ($22,086 vs. $25,769).
• Smith Chason College is 1,547.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Irvine Valley College (about $17,884 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Smith Chason College than at Irvine Valley College (about $7,180 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $11,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith Chason College than at Irvine Valley College (71% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Irvine Valley College students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Smith Chason College students ($7,254 vs. $6,731).

Irvine Valley College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Irvine Valley 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 Irvine Valley College.

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

Irvine Valley College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Irvine Valley 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 $15,000 more per year than Irvine Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Irvine Valley College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($6,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Irvine Valley College graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($62 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Irvine Valley College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 44%)

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.