Head-to-head · 2026
Santa Monica College vs Skyline College
Compare average net price ($2,779 at Santa Monica College; $1,738 at Skyline College), ROI score (37.96 vs 80.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,193 vs $55,702), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Santa Monica College; Open / not reported at Skyline College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Santa Monica College | Skyline College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.96 | 80.12 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,779 | $1,738 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $11,116 | $6,952 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $1,156 | $1,272 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,708 | $9,956 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,193 | $55,702 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 36.3% | 44.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | — | — |
| Median debt | $6,450 | — |
| Enrollment | 21,440 | 7,620 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Santa Monica College | Skyline College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,896 | $842 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,442 | $145 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,440 | $3,984 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,087 | $6,747 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $8,395 | $5,974 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Santa Monica College | Skyline College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 56.7% | 27.7% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 4.7% | 9.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.1% | 8.4% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 5% | 4.3% |
| Psychology, General | 2.2% | 6.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.2% | 5.9% |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 1.8% | 3.9% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2% | 2.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Skyline College reports the lower average net price by $1,041 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,164 difference over four years ($6,952 vs $11,116).
Skyline College reports $13,509 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,702 vs $42,193). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Santa Monica College vs Skyline College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Skyline College is cheaper — average net price $1,738 per year vs $2,779 at Santa Monica College. The annual difference of $1,041 adds up to about $4,164 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Skyline College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,702 vs $42,193 at Santa Monica College. The gap in the federal data is $13,509. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.