SMC vs. Lemoore College

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Monica College is larger than Lemoore College based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 4,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Monica College is located in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting); Lemoore College is in Lemoore, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lemoore College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Monica College 27:1; Lemoore College 30:1.

SMC vs. Lemoore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or Lemoore 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 Santa Monica College than Lemoore College ($5,685 vs. $13,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lemoore College are 14.8% lower than at Santa Monica College ($22,086 vs. $25,908).
• Lemoore College is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $228 more per year; $1,384.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Lemoore College than at Santa Monica College (about $246 more per year; $10,954.00 vs. $10,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lemoore College than at Santa Monica College (96% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lemoore College students is 57% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($8,700 vs. $5,540).

SMC vs. Lemoore College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or Lemoore 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 Lemoore 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; Lemoore College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SMC Aug 30, 2027; Lemoore College Jul 15, 2027.

SMC vs. Lemoore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and Lemoore 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Monica College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Lemoore College graduates ($6,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lemoore College graduates ($67 vs. $98).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lemoore College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 29%)

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.