How much has SMC's Tuition Increased over the Past 10 Years?

1.76%

In-State

32.56%

Out-of-State

SMC's tuition & fees has increased from $8,078 (2015) to $10,708 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 32.56% over the past 10 years.

The 2025 tuition & fees have significantly risen this year (more than 10%) at Santa Monica College.

SMC's tuition increase rate is higher than the California's average increase rate of 14.58%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.

Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends

The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 66.81% from 2015 ($25,552).

For the current academic year 2024-2025, SMC's COA is $42,624, which is increased by 58.57% from last year.

The following table and chart show changes to SMC's COA over the past 10 years.

On-campus living costs are not available.

Tuition & Fees Changes

The tuition & fees have increased 32.56% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $10,656. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Santa Monica College over last the 10 years.

YearUndergraduateChange By Year
In-StateOut-of-State
2015-16$1,136$8,078-
2016-17$1,142$8,078
2017-18$1,142$8,5585.94%
2018-19$1,142$8,9184.21%
2019-20$1,144$8,9200.02%
2020-21$1,148$9,0441.39%
2021-22$1,146$9,0900.51%
2022-23$1,150$9,0940.04%
2023-24$1,156$9,3162.44%
2024-25$1,156$10,70814.94%
Santa Monica College Tuition & Fees Changes Chart

Books & Supplies Costs Changes

The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,746, and it has increased 5.43% from the year 2015 to 2025.

YearBooks & SuppliesChange by Year
2015-16$1,656-
2016-17$1,656
2017-18$1,7465.43%
2018-19$1,746
2019-20$1,746
2020-21$1,746
2021-22$1,746
2022-23$1,746
2023-24$1,746
2024-25$1,746

Living Costs Changes

The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 90.73% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Santa Monica College.

YearLiving Off CampusChange by Year
2015-16$15,818-
2016-17$15,818
2017-18$15,818
2018-19$15,818
2019-20$15,818
2020-21$15,818
2021-22$15,818
2022-23$15,818
2023-24$15,818
2024-25$30,17090.73%

Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Santa Monica College and similar schools.

20252024Increase Rate
Santa Monica College$10,708
($1,156)		$9,316
($1,156)		14.94%
University of California-Los Angeles$46,121
($14,233)		$44,524
($13,747)		3.59%
University of California-Berkeley$47,265
($15,377)		$45,627
($14,850)		3.59%
University of California-San Diego$47,676
($15,788)		$46,042
($15,265)		3.55%
California State University-Fullerton$20,070
($7,470)		$18,953
($7,073)		5.89%
California State University-Long Beach$19,974
($7,374)		$18,888
($7,008)		5.75%

Ratings & Review

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