SMC vs. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Monica College is larger than San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 224 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Monica College is located in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting); San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova is in Rancho Cordova, California (Rural Fringe setting).
• Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Monica College 27:1; San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova 20:1.

SMC vs. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova? 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-Rancho Cordova ($5,685 vs. $29,774).
• In-state tuition differs between Santa Monica College and San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova ($1,156.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between SMC and San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova ($10,708.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Monica College than at San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova (64% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($5,977 vs. $5,540).

SMC vs. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova? 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova and SMC.

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

SMC vs. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova? 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.