Head-to-head · 2026
Imperial Valley College vs Santa Monica College
Compare average net price ($1,115 at Imperial Valley College; $2,779 at Santa Monica College), ROI score (77.33 vs 37.96), ten-year median earnings ($34,487 vs $42,193), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Imperial Valley College; Open / not reported at Santa Monica College) using federal College Scorecard data. Imperial Valley College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Imperial Valley College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Imperial Valley College | Santa Monica College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 77.33 ✓ | 37.96 |
| Avg net price | $1,115 ✓ | $2,779 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $34,487 | $42,193 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 44.6% ✓ | 36.3% |
| Median debt | — | $6,450 |
| Enrollment | 7,652 | 21,440 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 1 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Santa Monica College costs $1,664 more per year than Imperial Valley College ($2,779 vs $1,115). Santa Monica College graduates report $7,706 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,193 vs $34,487). On EduGradify's model that puts Imperial Valley College ahead on projected ROI (77.33 vs 37.96, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Imperial Valley College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Imperial Valley College vs Santa Monica College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Imperial Valley College or Santa Monica College the better value?
Imperial Valley College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (77.33 vs 37.96), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Imperial Valley College is cheaper — average net price $1,115 per year vs $2,779 at Santa Monica College. The annual difference of $1,664 adds up to about $6,656 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Santa Monica College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,193 vs $34,487 at Imperial Valley College. The annual gap in the federal data is $7,706.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Imperial Valley College reports a A+ value grade; Santa Monica College reports A+.