Santa Monica College Tuition (2026)

Santa Monica, CA · Public · Bachelor's degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$1,156
Out-of-State Tuition$10,708
CA Average$16,639
National Average$18,082

Tuition Comparison

TuitionDifference
Santa Monica College (in-state)$1,156—
CA average$16,639-93%
National average$18,082-94%

Four-year cost at Santa Monica College

Per yearFour years
In-state$1,156$4,624
Out-of-state$10,708$42,832

Tuition only. Housing, books and living costs are not included — most colleges publish a fuller cost-of-attendance figure.

Where Santa Monica College sits on cost in CA

Santa Monica College ranks 22 by in-state tuition among the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower is cheaper. Out-of-state students pay 826% more than in-state students.

Colleges with a similar price to Santa Monica CollegeIn-state tuition
Allan Hancock College$1,156
Irvine Valley College$1,156
Napa Valley College$1,156
Saddleback College$1,156

FAQ

How much is tuition at Santa Monica College?

In-state tuition at Santa Monica College is $1,156 per year; out-of-state students pay $10,708.

How does Santa Monica College tuition compare to the CA average?

Santa Monica College in-state tuition is 93% below the CA average of $16,639.

How does Santa Monica College tuition compare to the national average?

National average in-state tuition is $18,082; Santa Monica College is 94% below that.

Is $1,156 expensive for in-state students?

$1,156 is the official in-state tuition published by College Scorecard for the most recent cohort year.

What does four years at Santa Monica College cost?

Four years of tuition at Santa Monica College comes to about $4,624 for an in-state student and $42,832 for an out-of-state student at current rates. That is tuition only — it excludes housing, books and living costs.

Where does Santa Monica College rank on cost in CA?

By in-state tuition, Santa Monica College ranks 22 out of the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower numbers are cheaper. The five cheapest and five most expensive colleges in the state are listed above.