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Pasadena City College ECC Los Angeles City College West Los Angeles College SBCC Pierce College De Anza College Orange Coast College MJC GCC DVC Moorpark College| Merced College | Santa Monica College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Merced College | SMC | ||
| Location | Merced, CA | Santa Monica, CA | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 10,214 | 22,375 | ||
| Type | Public 2 Year | Public 2 Year | ||
| National Ranking | ||||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mccd.edu | smc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Merced College | SMC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,104 | $1,104 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,800 | $9,048 | ||
| Room & Board | $17,784 | $11,556 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $6,934 | $6,656 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,004 | $4,650 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 95% | 64% |
Admission |
Merced College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | - | ||
| Admitted | - | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | Open | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | Open | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | ||||
| SAT Range | ||||
| Submit Test Scores | ||||
| Application Deadline | Aug 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Merced College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 25:1 | 26:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
Merced College | SMC | ||
| Graduation Rate | - | - | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $30,300 | $39,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | - | 45% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | N/A | $6,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | N/A | $67 |
Diversity |
Merced College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 22% | 26% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 9% | ||
| % Hispanic | 59% | 38% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 11% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Merced College | SMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 96% | 76% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 0% | 0% | ||
Campus |
Merced College | SMC | ||
| Campus Housing | No | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | No | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Santa Monica College is larger than than Merced College based on total student enrollment (22,375 students vs. 10,214 students)
Merced College vs. SMC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Merced College or SMC?
- Merced College and SMC cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($1,104.00 vs. $1,104.00)
- Out of state tuition is 16% higher at SMC than Merced College ($9,048.00 vs. $7,800.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Santa Monica College than Merced College ($6,656 vs. $6,934)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Monica College are 53.9% lower than costs at Merced College ($11,556 vs. $17,784)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Merced College than Santa Monica College (95% vs. 64%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Merced College students is 50.6% larger than aid received Santa Monica College ($7,004 vs. $4,650)
Which college is harder to get into, Merced College or SMC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SMC or Merced College .
Merced College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Merced College or SMC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SMC and Merced College.
- Graduates from Santa Monica College earn on average $8,700 more per year than Merced College graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $30,300)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/