Research.com
Santa Monica College logo

Santa Monica College

#1718 in US ranking Santa Monica, CA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$11,807
Tuition & fees
$1,225
Avg. aid
$4,114
Receiving aid
65%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
36%
Median salary
$36,496
1 yr after graduation

What does Santa Monica College offer in terms of athletics?

Santa Monica College's varsity teams compete as the Corsairs in California community college athletics, including the California Community College Athletic Association. Conference and scheduling arrangements can differ by sport, so the current athletics roster is the best guide to a particular team.

Reported offerings include basketball, cross-country, football, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo, alongside cheerleading. Varsity participation is distinct from informal recreation or a student-run sports club: teams have eligibility rules, coaches and competitive schedules. Prospective athletes should ask the relevant program about tryouts, academic eligibility and the current season rather than assuming that every listed sport has the same participation process.

What student groups and Associations are available at Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College students can participate in Associated Students government and recognized clubs coordinated through its student-organization system. These provide routes to campus decision-making and to activities organized around academic interests, culture, service and recreation.

Examples of involvement include discipline-related and cultural clubs, performing-arts groups, and student journalism through The Corsair newspaper. Club rosters can change as students graduate, so an organization's listing is more useful than assuming it meets every term. Students who want to start a group should check the current recognition and adviser requirements with the office overseeing student activities.

Who studies at Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College enrolls a large undergraduate population with varied educational goals and ages. Reported enrollment is 23,453 students, including 5,291 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 1,534 students transferring in.

Students ages 18 or 19 form the largest reported age group, but the college also enrolls teenagers taking college classes and substantial numbers of adults returning to school. About 12% of students are reported as coming from foreign countries. Reported racial and ethnic counts include 8,783 Hispanic or Latino students, 5,559 White students, 1,962 Black or African American students and 1,760 Asian students; those counts should be read in the context of their reporting source rather than used to make assumptions about individual experiences.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 27 to 1. That institution-wide figure does not predict the size of a particular lab, lecture or discussion section, so students with specific learning needs should look at course formats and support options.

How does student life look like at Santa Monica College?

Everyday life at Santa Monica College is shaped more by classes, commuting and scheduled activities than by residence-hall life. Students can connect through organizations, arts programming, athletics and events, but may need to plan those activities around work and travel.

SMC reports a health clinic, personal or psychological counseling and other student support services. Academic advising and orientation are particularly useful for students navigating prerequisites or a transfer plan for the first time. Because classes and programs use multiple locations, the most convenient gathering spaces and services may depend on where a student's courses meet.

What libraries are available to students at Santa Monica College?

The Santa Monica College Library is the college's main academic library. It supports coursework through study space, research materials and help with finding and evaluating sources.

Students can use library catalogs and licensed digital resources, including materials useful for research assignments. Access conditions for online databases, equipment, borrowing and research assistance may differ for current students and visitors. Students who need a quiet room, accessible technology or a resource held elsewhere should check the library's current services and hours before making a trip.

Santa Monica College Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

23453

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

3351

Member of Athletic Associations

NJCAA

Total staff

350 full time, 858 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Santa Monica College Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 23,453

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 9,430
Part-time: 14,023

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,791
Men: 1,560

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 8,783
Black or African American: 1,962
White: 5,559
American Indian or Alaska Native: 27
Asian: 1,760
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 26
Two or more races: 1,107
Unknown: 521

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Santa Monica College Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NJCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Basketball

Both––

Cheerleading

Both––

Cross-country running

Both––

Football

Men––

Soccer

Both––

Swimming and diving

Both––

Tennis

Women––

Track and field

Both––

Volleyball

Both––

Water polo

Both––

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.