Santa Monica College

What Santa Monica College does

Santa Monica College (SMC) is a public community college founded in 1929 and operated by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) under the California Community Colleges system. The institution enrolls a diverse student body through direct enrollment, high school concurrent enrollment, international recruitment (F-1 visa), workforce development contracts, and a senior Emeritus program, with service concentrated in the greater Los Angeles area across its main Santa Monica campus, Malibu Campus, and Airport Arts Campus (Center for Media & Design).

SMC delivers instruction across 250+ academic programs spanning associate degrees, certificates, and career education, and is expanding into four-year Bachelor's degrees with a new Cloud Computing baccalaureate launching in April 2026. The technology stack is built primarily on third-party platforms: Canvas LMS for online learning, Corsair Connect (Starfish Solutions) as the student portal, Salesforce for coursework and CRM certification programs, and the Stellic Explore platform (partnered February 2026) for transfer credit evaluation and degree planning. AI capability is limited to vendor-provided NLP chatbots (Gravyty, Gecko) deployed at the LACCD level for admissions and financial aid inquiries.

As a public institution, SMC's revenue model is structurally tuition-based but heavily subsidized by state apportionment funding, the California College Promise Grant for eligible in-state students, federal and state grants (NSF, NEH, state innovation awards), private donations through the SMC Foundation (which distributes $50M+ annually in financial aid and scholarships), and auxiliary operations including the owned KCRW public radio station. The institution has held the #1 ranking for transfers to the UC System for 35 consecutive years, positioning it as the dominant transfer pathway college in California.

Name

Santa Monica College

Legal name

Santa Monica College

Website

https://smc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Santa Monica College is a public community college in Santa Monica, California, serving a diverse student body with 250+ academic programs across associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, certificates, and workforce training. It is the #1 transfer college to the UC System for 35 consecutive years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Community College

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer) (EDAHALAC)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Transfer pathway services
• Career technical education
• Online learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Santa Monica College is a public community college that delivers higher education services including associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, career-technical certificates, and noncredit community learning across more than 250 academic programs. The institution operates as a primary transfer pipeline to the University of California system and other four-year universities, while also preparing students for direct workforce entry. Courses are delivered on-campus at multiple Santa Monica-area locations and online via Canvas LMS and SMC Online.

Product overview

Santa Monica College operates as a comprehensive community college offering a multi-tiered educational product portfolio. The core offerings include associate degrees, bachelor's degrees (including a new Cloud Computing program), and career-focused certificates across more than 250 academic programs. The institution delivers education through multiple platforms: Canvas LMS powers online and distance learning; Corsair Connect serves as the student portal for enrollment and records; and SMC Online provides full online degree pathways. Additional offerings include Emeritus (noncredit senior programs), community learning, and noncredit workforce development. A notable technology partnership involves Stellic for transfer credit evaluation and academic planning. SMC is #1 in transfers to UC and UCLA for 35 consecutive years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KCRW: Public radio station owned by Santa Monica College, featuring music, news, and cultural programming.
• SMC Foundation
• The Broad Stage

Products and services

• Associate Degrees Two-year associate degree programs across more than 250 academic fields, designed to enable students to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce. Targeted at recent high school graduates, returning adults, and transfer-bound students in California.
• Bachelor's Degrees Four-year baccalaureate degree programs including the new Cloud Computing degree, expanding SMC's portfolio beyond traditional associate-level community college offerings. Targeted at students seeking a four-year degree at community college affordability.
• Certificates Career-focused certificate programs in technical and professional fields designed to prepare students for immediate employment. Available across numerous disciplines as part of SMC's 200+ degrees and certificates portfolio.
• Career Education Programs Vocational and career-focused educational programs preparing students for specific industries and professions, including Salesforce-related coursework and certification offerings through Business and CSIS departments.
• SMC Online (Online Learning) Distance education platform offering online associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways through Canvas LMS with flexible delivery formats. Targeted at students needing schedule flexibility, working adults, and remote learners.
• Emeritus Program Noncredit community learning program offering arts, humanities, fitness, and social engagement courses for adults aged 50 and older across multiple Santa Monica-area locations.
• Noncredit Programs Free noncredit courses including ESL, career education, and workforce development programs that support lifelong learning and community access to education.
• Community Learning Community education offerings including community education courses and emeritus programs for personal enrichment, supplementing credit-bearing programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 consecutive years as #1 in transfers to UC System
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• StelliccoreTechnology or Integration · 12 February 2026SMC collaborates with Stellic to modernize transfer pathways and degree planning. The partnership involves earlier and more transparent credit evaluations through Stellic's platform, helping students navigate transfer processes to four-year California universities. Initiative aims to modernize degree planning, advising, and support for a diverse student body.
• ClipDartminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025ClipDart CEO Kyle Parker spoke at SMC about mental wellness through culturally competent haircare. ClipDart is a national nonprofit focused on connecting underserved communities with barbers skilled in serving Black hair. Now collaborates with colleges, universities, homeless services, and senior centers nationwide.
• UCLAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMC was selected to pilot a new STEM Teacher Prep Program with UCLA, developing pathways for community college students to transfer into UCLA's teacher preparation programs.
• KCRWcoreOthersSMC owns KCRW, a prominent public radio station based in Santa Monica. KCRW operates from SMC's Center for Media & Design campus and provides students with media industry experience and internships. KCRW has faced budget cuts and layoffs (10% staff reduction in 2025).
• The Broad StageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with The Broad Stage performing arts venue in Santa Monica, providing students access to world-class performing arts events and potential collaborative opportunities.
• City of Santa MonicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMC partners with the City of Santa Monica on multiple initiatives including the Malibu Campus development, Early Childhood Lab School operation, veterans support services expansion, and sustainability programs.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMC signed an agreement with the VA to expand support services for veterans, improving educational pathways and benefits access for military-connected students.
• SalesforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationSMC has launched courses using the Salesforce platform and offers Salesforce certification programs through the Business and CSIS departments, preparing students for CRM and cloud computing careers.
• EverytableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMC's Center for Media & Design hosts the first Everytable Lounge, supporting the company's mission to provide healthy food access while providing students with industry experience.
• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programs between SMC and SMMUSD including concurrent enrollment, the Malibu Campus development, and early childhood education initiatives.
• The Growing PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Growing Place was selected to operate the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School, a collaborative project between SMC and the City of Santa Monica.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pasadena City College: Pasadena City College is a large California public community college offering associate degrees, transfer pathways to UC/CSU, and career-technical programs. It competes directly with SMC for the same Los Angeles-area student pool aiming for transfers to UCLA, USC, and other 4-year institutions.
• El Camino College: El Camino College is a neighboring Southern California public community college with comparable transfer, associate degree, and career education offerings. Both serve overlapping Westside/South Bay populations and compete for transfers to UCLA and other UC campuses.
• De Anza College: De Anza College is one of California's largest community colleges, located in Cupertino, with a strong transfer reputation to UC schools. It is comparable to SMC in scale, transfer outcomes, and breadth of associate-degree and certificate programs.
• West Los Angeles College: West Los Angeles College is a sister institution within the Los Angeles Community College District, sharing the same LACCD governance and budget framework as SMC. It offers overlapping associate degree, transfer, and career-technical programs to a similar West LA student demographic.
• Pierce College: Pierce College is another LACCD peer community college in the San Fernando Valley offering associate degrees and transfer pathways. It shares SMC's district-level funding, student-services model, and policy environment, making it a direct operational and competitive comparable.
• Los Angeles City College: Los Angeles City College is the flagship LACCD institution offering associate degrees, transfer preparation, and vocational programs. As a LACCD peer sharing the same chancellor, board, and funding allocations as SMC, it is a direct comparable in scale and program breadth.
• Mt. San Antonio College: Mt. San Antonio College is one of the largest community colleges in California and a nationally recognized transfer leader. Its scale, transfer outcomes to UC/CSU, and broad program portfolio make it one of the closest direct comparables to SMC.
• Long Beach City College: Long Beach City College is a large Southern California community college offering associate degrees and transfer pathways to UC and CSU. It competes with SMC for LA-area students and shares the same regional labor-market alignment needs.
• Irvine Valley College: Irvine Valley College is a California public community college in the South Orange County Community College District, offering transfer-focused associate degrees. Its transfer outcomes to UC Irvine and other UC campuses make it a comparable transfer-focused peer to SMC.

Broad incumbents

• University of California (UC) System: The UC System is the primary 4-year transfer destination for SMC students and the benchmark against which SMC's transfer outcomes are measured. While not a direct competitor, the UC System's admissions policies, capacity, and per-student funding shape SMC's value proposition and downstream enrollment economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/4SMC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SantaMonicaCollegeOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/387462755505
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/santa-monica-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/smcedu
• TikToktiktok.com/@smcedu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Santa Monica College