Head-to-head · 2026
Santa Monica College vs Victor Valley College
Compare average net price ($2,779 at Santa Monica College; $1,947 at Victor Valley College), ROI score (37.96 vs 46.38), ten-year median earnings ($42,193 vs $36,119), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Santa Monica College; Open / not reported at Victor Valley College) using federal College Scorecard data. Victor Valley College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Victor 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 | Santa Monica College | Victor Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 37.96 | 46.38 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,779 | $1,947 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,193 ✓ | $36,119 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 36.3% | 61.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,450 | — |
| Enrollment | 21,440 | 4,210 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Santa Monica College costs $832 more per year than Victor Valley College ($2,779 vs $1,947). Santa Monica College graduates report $6,074 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,193 vs $36,119). On EduGradify's model that puts Victor Valley College ahead on projected ROI (46.38 vs 37.96, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Victor 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
Santa Monica College vs Victor Valley College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Santa Monica College or Victor Valley College the better value?
Victor Valley College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (46.38 vs 37.96), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Victor Valley College is cheaper — average net price $1,947 per year vs $2,779 at Santa Monica College. The annual difference of $832 adds up to about $3,328 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Santa Monica College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,193 vs $36,119 at Victor Valley College. The annual gap in the federal data is $6,074.
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. Santa Monica College reports a A+ value grade; Victor Valley College reports A+.