SMC vs. Ventura College

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Monica College is larger than Ventura College based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 12,222 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Monica College is located in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting); Ventura College is in Ventura, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ventura College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Monica College 27:1; Ventura College 29:1.

SMC vs. Ventura College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or Ventura 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 Ventura College than SMC ($2,522 vs. $5,685).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ventura College are 14.8% lower than at Santa Monica College ($22,086 vs. $25,908).
• Ventura College is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $270 more per year; $1,426.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at SMC than at Ventura College (about $1,093 more per year; $10,708.00 vs. $9,615.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ventura College than at Santa Monica College (91% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ventura College students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($6,376 vs. $5,540).

SMC vs. Ventura College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or Ventura 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 Ventura College 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; Ventura College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMC Aug 30, 2027.

SMC vs. Ventura College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and Ventura 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 Santa Monica College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Ventura College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Monica College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Ventura College graduates ($6,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ventura College graduates ($67 vs. $108).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ventura College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 33%)

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.