Monterey Peninsula College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

Monterey Peninsula College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (7,173 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Monterey Peninsula College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College than Smith Chason College ($14,483 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 37.1% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($22,086 vs. $35,118).
• Smith Chason College is 1,502.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monterey Peninsula College (about $17,852 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,188.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at Smith Chason College than at Monterey Peninsula College (about $8,468 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College than at Smith Chason College (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 32.3% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($6,731 vs. $5,088).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; Smith Chason College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula 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 $17,300 more per year than Monterey Peninsula College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 31%)

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.