Sierra College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sierra College in Rocklin, CA with Smith Chason College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sierra College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (19,125 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sierra College is located in Rocklin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Sierra College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sierra College 25:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Sierra College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sierra College or Smith Chason 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 Sierra College than Smith Chason College ($10,285 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sierra College are 38.3% lower than at Smith Chason College ($13,631 vs. $22,086).
• Smith Chason College is 1,216.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sierra College (about $17,594 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,446.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1,216.7% higher at Smith Chason College than at Sierra College (about $17,594 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sierra College than at Smith Chason College (80% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 34.5% larger than aid received by Sierra College students ($6,731 vs. $5,006).

Sierra College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sierra College or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College and Sierra College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sierra College - Open admission; Smith Chason College - Open admission.

Sierra College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sierra College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Sierra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sierra College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 32%)

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.