Pasadena City College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA with Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pasadena City College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 23,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Monica College is in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting).
• Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pasadena City College 23:1; Santa Monica College 27:1.

Pasadena City College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pasadena City 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 Pasadena City College ($5,685 vs. $6,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 25% lower than at Santa Monica College ($19,431 vs. $25,908).
• Pasadena City College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $24 more per year; $1,180.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at SMC than at Pasadena City College (about $888 more per year; $10,708.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College than at Santa Monica College (78% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 22% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($6,759 vs. $5,540).

Pasadena City College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pasadena City 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 Pasadena City College.

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

Pasadena City College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pasadena City 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 $1,100 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($5,500 vs. $6,500).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($56 vs. $67).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 36%)

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.