Head-to-head · 2026
Modesto Junior College vs Santa Monica College
Compare average net price ($2,818 at Modesto Junior College; $2,779 at Santa Monica College), ROI score (37.59 vs 37.96), ten-year median earnings ($42,368 vs $42,193), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Modesto Junior College; Open / not reported at Santa Monica College) using federal College Scorecard data. Santa Monica College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Santa Monica 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 | Modesto Junior College | Santa Monica College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 37.59 | 37.96 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,818 | $2,779 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,368 ✓ | $42,193 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.6% | 36.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $6,450 |
| Enrollment | 15,109 | 21,440 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Modesto Junior College costs $39 more per year than Santa Monica College ($2,818 vs $2,779). Modesto Junior College graduates report $175 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,368 vs $42,193). On EduGradify's model that puts Santa Monica College ahead on projected ROI (37.96 vs 37.59, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Santa Monica 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
Modesto Junior College vs Santa Monica College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Modesto Junior College or Santa Monica College the better value?
Santa Monica College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (37.96 vs 37.59), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Santa Monica College is cheaper — average net price $2,779 per year vs $2,818 at Modesto Junior College. The annual difference of $39 adds up to about $156 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Modesto Junior College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,368 vs $42,193 at Santa Monica College. The annual gap in the federal data is $175.
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. Modesto Junior College reports a A+ value grade; Santa Monica College reports A+.