Santa Monica College
Ca · Public · 100% graduation rate
Santa Monica College is a public university in Ca with a 100% graduation rate. We track 1 major with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Visual and Performing Arts, Other (grade C), with median debt of $28K and year-5 earnings of $57K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ca
How Santa Monica College Compares
Santa Monica College graduates carry a median debt of $28K across tracked majors, which is $2K more than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $42K, about $16K below peers of the same type. Within Ca, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $2K above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 61 is 11 points below the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Santa Monica College earns a grade of C, with median debt of $28K and year-5 earnings of $57K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Santa Monica College has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Santa Monica College. For example, Visual and Performing Arts, Other graduates have median debt of $28K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Visual and Performing Arts, Other with median year-5 earnings of $57K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).