MJC vs. SMC

Modesto Junior College and Santa Monica College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Modesto Junior College
Santa Monica College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $5,605 at MJC vs $5,685 at SMC. MJC in-state tuition is about $126 more per year.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MJC $34,000 vs SMC $39,000 (median).
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Key differences

Modesto Junior College Santa Monica College
Acceptance rate
MJC-
SMC-
SAT range (middle 50%)
MJC-
SMC-
Average net price
About even
MJC$5,605
SMC$5,685
In-state tuition
SMC $126 less
MJC$1,282
SMC$1,156
Out-of-state tuition
MJC $1,444 less
MJC$9,264
SMC$10,708
Graduation rate
MJC-
SMC-
Median earnings (10 years)
SMC +$5,000
MJC$34,000
SMC$39,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MJC -
  • SMC -
  • Admitted
  • MJC -
  • SMC -
  • Acceptance rate
  • MJC Open
  • SMC Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MJC Open
  • SMC Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • MJC
  • SMC
  • Typical ACT score
  • MJC
  • SMC
  • Average high school GPA
  • MJC -
  • SMC -
  • Typical high school grades
  • MJC -
  • SMC -
  • Admissions standards
  • MJC Unavailable
  • SMC Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • MJC
  • SMC
  • SAT range
  • MJC
  • SMC
  • ACT range
  • MJC
  • SMC
  • Submit test scores
  • MJC Open admission
  • SMC Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • MJC Jun 30, 2027
  • SMC Aug 30, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MJC $1,282
  • SMC $1,156
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MJC $9,264
  • SMC $10,708
  • Room & board
  • MJC $22,086
  • SMC $25,908
  • Average net price
  • MJC $5,605
  • SMC $5,685
  • Average grant aid
  • MJC $5,984
  • SMC $5,540
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MJC 73%
  • SMC 64%
  • Graduation rate
  • MJC -
  • SMC -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MJC $34,000
  • SMC $39,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • MJC -
  • SMC 45%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MJC N/A
  • SMC $6,500
  • Median loan payment
  • MJC N/A
  • SMC $67
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MJC 32:1
  • SMC 27:1
  • Popular majors
  • MJC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
  • SMC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (69%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • MJC Modesto, CA
  • SMC Santa Monica, CA
  • Setting
  • MJC Midsize City
  • SMC Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • MJC 18,258
  • SMC 23,453
  • Type
  • MJC Public 2 Year
  • SMC Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • MJC
  • SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA with Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Santa Monica College is larger than MJC based on total student enrollment (23,453 students vs. 18,258 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Modesto Junior College is located in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Monica College is in Santa Monica, CA (Small City setting).
  • Modesto Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Monica College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Modesto Junior College 32:1; Santa Monica College 27:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Modesto Junior College are 14.8% lower than at Santa Monica College ($22,086 vs. $25,908).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at SMC than at Modesto Junior College (about $1,444 more per year; $10,708 vs. $9,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Modesto Junior College than at Santa Monica College (73% vs. 64%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Modesto Junior College students is 8% larger than aid received by Santa Monica College students ($5,984 vs. $5,540).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both MJC and SMC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027; SMC Aug 30, 2027.

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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