Santa Monica College (SMC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Santa Monica College
Near the beach, Santa Monica College blends coastal energy with serious study. It's known for a strong transfer culture and clear academic pathways, with strengths across arts and media, technology, business, communication, and the sciences. Teaching leans practical, and the feel in studios, labs, and classrooms is focused but not stuffy.
Students use a well stocked library, tutoring and writing centers, counseling and wellness support, plus transfer and career services. Clubs, cultural festivals, intramurals, and performances keep things lively. And with bike paths, the shore, and a local arts scene, downtime tilts outdoors. The culture is diverse, welcoming, and driven, with internship routes into greater Los Angeles and a community vibe that keeps big goals within reach.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Santa Monica College (SMC) offers 72 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 13,753 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 9,669 graduates), Business (10 programs, 799 graduates), Arts (12 programs, 635 graduates), Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 374 graduates) and Social Sciences (8 programs, 348 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 9,669 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 7,134 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| Humanities Studies | 2,535 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0103 |
Business (10 programs, 799 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 382 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 244 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 67 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1801 |
| Sales Skills and Operations | 38 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1804 |
| Small Business Management | 22 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0703 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 14 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0401 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0204 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0203 |
| Insurance Studies | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1701 |
| International Business and Trade | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1101 |
Arts (12 programs, 635 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 152 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0701 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 120 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0602 |
| Graphic Design | 106 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0409 |
| Interior Design | 83 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0408 |
| Film and Media Studies | 50 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0601 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 33 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0407 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 25 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0101 |
| Theatre Arts | 18 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 16 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0901 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.9999 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0502 |
| Dance | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0301 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 374 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 374 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Social Sciences (8 programs, 348 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 144 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 80 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 75 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 24 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0701 |
| International Relations | 9 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
45.0901 |
| Archaeology | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45.0301 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
45.0702 |
Communication (4 programs, 334 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 254 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0101 |
| Advertising | 43 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
09.0903 |
| Journalism | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0401 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
09.0701 |
Human Sciences (3 programs, 329 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 288 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 32 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19.0905 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
Media Tech (3 programs, 258 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photographic and Video Technology | 129 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10.0201 |
| Animation and Interactive Technology | 107 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
10.0304 |
| Prepress and Digital Imaging Design | 22 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
10.0303 |
Computer & IT (8 programs, 207 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 85 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0701 |
| Computer Programming | 77 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
| Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0601 |
| Data Modeling and Database Administration | 10 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0802 |
| Information Technology | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0103 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0501 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0801 |
| Web and Multimedia Management | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1004 |
Psychology (1 programs, 198 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 198 |
|
Associate's
|
42.0101 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Santa Monica College (SMC)
How much does it cost to attend Santa Monica College (SMC)?
The annual tuition at Santa Monica College (SMC) is $1,156 for in-state students and $9,316 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,902 for in-state students and $11,062 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,556 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,746.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Santa Monica College offer?
Santa Monica College (SMC) offers 72 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (12 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (8 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Santa Monica College?
Santa Monica College (SMC) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,515 and average loans of $5,292.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,035
- State/Local grants: $2,169
- Institutional grants: $1,223
- Federal loans: $5,292
The university supports 1,998 students with grants and 49 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Santa Monica College graduates?
Santa Monica College (SMC) graduates earn a median salary of $31,977 after 6 years and $42,193 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $19,286 (25th percentile) to $66,062 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $77,100 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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