Solano College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

Solano Community College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (9,282 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Solano Community College is located in Fairfield, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Solano Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Solano Community College 27:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Solano College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Solano 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 Solano Community College than Smith Chason College ($7,102 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Solano Community College and Smith Chason College ($22,086).
• Smith Chason College is 1,524.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Solano College (about $17,868 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,172.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94% higher at Smith Chason College than at Solano Community College (about $9,228 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $9,812.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Solano Community College than at Smith Chason College (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 47% larger than aid received by Solano Community College students ($6,731 vs. $4,579).

Solano College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Solano 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 Solano College.

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

Solano College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Solano 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 $16,100 more per year than Solano College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Solano Community College graduates have a $10,197 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($9,803 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Solano College graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($101 vs. $206).
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Solano College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 27%)

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.