Tuition, Fees, and Living Costs Analysis

UndergraduatePer Credit HourComparison

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Santa Monica College is $1,156 for California residents and $9,316 for out-of-state students. It has been risen by 0.52% for California residents and increased by 2.44% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. Its in-state undergraduate tuition and fees is much lower than the average amount ($4,249) and its out-of-state undergraduate tuition and fees is around the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $9,664.
The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees for SMC is $1,162 for California residents and $9,543 for out-of-state students which is a 2.4% increase compared to 2024's rate.
It has been risen by 0.52% for California residents and increased by 2.44% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $15,818 when a student live off campus for year 2024. The off-campus living costs stayed same compared to the previous year.
You may want to compare the school to other California schools with tuition changes from last year at California colleges tuition change page.
SMC Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOFF Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$1,150 $9,094$15,818
2023-2024$1,156$9,316$15,818
Change % 2023-20240.52%2.44%0.00%
2024-2025$1,162$9,543$15,818
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.
Santa Monica College - COA
Santa Monica College - Undergraduate Tuition Chart
Santa Monica College - Room and Board Coost Chart

Tuition Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at SMC. The undergraduate tuition per credit hour is $46 for California residents and $386 for out-of-state students.
Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
Undergraduate2022-2023$46$377
2023-2024$46$386
2024-2025$46$395
The 2024 costs per credit hour has been officially published by IPEDS and 2025 costs is estimated based on the change rate of last two years.
Santa Monica College - Tuition per Credit Hour
Santa Monica College - Books and Supplies Costs

Compare Tuition to Similar Colleges

The next table compares the tuition & fees between Santa Monica College and its similar schools. The similar schools are based on factors such as school type, level, and rivalry schools.
Tuition Comparison between Santa Monica College and Similar Schools
In-StateOut-of-State
Santa Monica College$1,156$9,316
University of California-Los Angeles$13,747$44,524
University of California-Berkeley$14,850$45,627
University of California-San Diego$15,265$46,042
California State University-Fullerton$7,073$18,953
University of California-Davis$15,247$46,024

Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees and Costs of Attendance

Tuition & FeesCOAAfter Financial Aid

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at SMC?

For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at SMC is $4,644 for California residents and $37,949 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Santa Monica College have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.
Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$1,158$1,160$1,162$1,164$4,644
Out-of-State$9,384$9,452$9,521$9,591$37,949
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$1,160$1,162$1,164$1,166$4,652
Out-of-State$9,452$9,521$9,591$9,661$38,226
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$1,162$1,164$1,166$1,168$4,660
Out-of-State$9,521$9,591$9,661$9,732$38,505
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$1,164$1,166$1,168$1,170$4,668
Out-of-State$9,591$9,661$9,732$9,803$38,786
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$1,166$1,168$1,170$1,172$4,676
Out-of-State$9,661$9,732$9,803$9,874$39,069

Total College Costs Including Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.
For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $74,900 for California residents and $108,205 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Santa Monica College have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy. The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation for the next 5 admission years at Santa Monica College.
Four(4) Years of Costs of Attendance
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$18,722$18,724$18,726$18,728$74,900
Out-of-State$26,948$27,016$27,085$27,155$108,205
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$18,724$18,726$18,728$18,730$74,908
Out-of-State$27,016$27,085$27,155$27,225$108,482
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$18,726$18,728$18,730$18,732$74,916
Out-of-State$27,085$27,155$27,225$27,296$108,761
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$18,728$18,730$18,732$18,734$74,924
Out-of-State$27,155$27,225$27,296$27,367$109,042
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$18,730$18,732$18,734$18,736$74,932
Out-of-State$27,225$27,296$27,367$27,438$109,325

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 52% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $61,572 for California residents and $94,877 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Santa Monica College have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy. The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation with financial aid for the next 5 admission years at Santa Monica College.
Four(4) Years Costs of Attendance after Financial Aid
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$15,390$15,392$15,394$15,396$61,572
Out-of-State$23,616$23,684$23,753$23,823$94,877
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$15,392$15,394$15,396$15,398$61,580
Out-of-State$23,684$23,753$23,823$23,893$95,154
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$15,394$15,396$15,398$15,400$61,588
Out-of-State$23,753$23,823$23,893$23,964$95,433
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$15,396$15,398$15,400$15,402$61,596
Out-of-State$23,823$23,893$23,964$24,035$95,714
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$15,398$15,400$15,402$15,404$61,604
Out-of-State$23,893$23,964$24,035$24,106$95,997

Tuition, Fees, and Living Cost Tables and Charts

Next tables and charts illustrate the 2024 tuition, fees, books & supplies, and living costs in detail. We provide the previous 5 years' costs so that you can check the increased amounts of each cost item and estimate future year costs. In addition, you can check the financial aid amount including grant, scholarship, and federal student loans for the last five years. Use the left menu to explore the tuition and college costs information at Santa Monica College.
Tuition & Fees | Financial Aid
Santa Monica College 2024 Costs of Attendance
In-StateOut-of-State
Tuition and FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs Tuition & FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs
Undergraduate$1,156$1,746$15,818$9,316$1,746 $15,818

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