Colleges in Santa Monica, California
3 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 3 colleges and universities in Santa Monica, California (1 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 3 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $2,779 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 36.3%.
The median net price in Santa Monica runs about $17,932 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Santa Monica, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$2,779
After aid
Median grad rate
36.3%
6-year
Median admission rate
Not available
Median enrollment
21,440
Undergrad
All colleges in Santa Monica
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $2,779 | 36.3% | Not available | 21,440 | Complete | |
| Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine Santa Monica, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing | |
| RAND School of Public Policy Santa Monica, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Santa Monica operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental MedicineNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Santa Monica are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- RAND School of Public PolicyNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (1)
Public colleges in Santa Monica are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Santa Monica CollegeNet price: $2,779Grad: 36.3%
Top programs in Santa Monica
Most-completed programs across Santa Monica colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts70.3% of degrees
- Business5.8% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.6% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary2.7% of degrees
- Social sciences2.5% of degrees
- Communication2.4% of degrees
- Family & consumer sci2.4% of degrees
- Communications tech1.9% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Santa Monica
Q.How many colleges are in Santa Monica, California?
There are 3 colleges and universities in Santa Monica, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Santa Monica?
By undergraduate enrollment, Santa Monica College is the largest institution in Santa Monica with roughly 21,440 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Santa Monica?
Based on average net price after aid, Santa Monica College is the most affordable institution in Santa Monica at $2,779 per year.
Q.Which Santa Monica college has the highest graduation rate?
Santa Monica College reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Santa Monica institutions at 36.3%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Santa Monica?
The median net price across all 3 colleges in Santa Monica is $2,779 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Santa Monica?
Across Santa Monica colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Business, Visual & performing arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Santa Monica?
Yes — Santa Monica includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Santa Monica that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.