San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield in Bakersfield, California with Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Monica College is larger than San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 798 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California (Large City setting); Santa Monica College is in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting).
• San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a private, for-profit 2-year institution. Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield 19:1; Santa Monica College 27:1.

San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield ($5,685 vs. $23,272).
• In-state tuition differs between Santa Monica College and San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield ($1,156.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between SMC and San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ($10,708.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield than at Santa Monica College (82% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Monica College students is 2.9% larger than aid received by San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield students ($5,540 vs. $5,384).

San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield.

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

San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield 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).

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.