Academic Comparison between LCAD and SMC

Laguna College of Art and Design and Santa Monica College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, CA and SMC is a four-year, public school located in Santa Monica, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) and SMC is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • LCAD has more expensive tuition & fees ($35,650) than SMC ($9,316).
  • SMC has more students with 22,375 students while LCAD has 760 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while SMC's ratio is 26 to 1.
  • SMC has more full-time faculties with 327 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Laguna College of Art and Designvs.Santa Monica College
Laguna Beach, CaliforniaLocationSanta Monica, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
School of art, music, and designCarnegie ClassificationAssociate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate's
$35,6502024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$1,156
Out-Of-State$9,316
99%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$11,780Average Amount of Financial Aid$3,332
77.99 %Acceptance Rates-
65.07 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)-
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
63 %Graduation Rate32 %
-Transfer-out Rate18 %
79 %Retention Rate-
760Student Population22,375
24Number of Faculties327
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio26 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services