Head-to-head · 2026
Santa Monica College vs Yuba College
Compare average net price ($2,779 at Santa Monica College; $2,576 at Yuba College), ROI score (37.96 vs 38.39), ten-year median earnings ($42,193 vs $39,552), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Santa Monica College; Open / not reported at Yuba College) using federal College Scorecard data. Yuba College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Yuba 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 | Yuba College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 37.96 | 38.39 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,779 | $2,576 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,193 ✓ | $39,552 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 36.3% | 39.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,450 | — |
| Enrollment | 21,440 | 4,779 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Santa Monica College costs $203 more per year than Yuba College ($2,779 vs $2,576). Santa Monica College graduates report $2,641 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,193 vs $39,552). On EduGradify's model that puts Yuba College ahead on projected ROI (38.39 vs 37.96, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Yuba 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 Yuba College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Santa Monica College or Yuba College the better value?
Yuba College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (38.39 vs 37.96), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Yuba College is cheaper — average net price $2,576 per year vs $2,779 at Santa Monica College. The annual difference of $203 adds up to about $812 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Santa Monica College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,193 vs $39,552 at Yuba College. The annual gap in the federal data is $2,641.
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; Yuba College reports A+.