Education in Santa Monica, California: official figures
70.7% of adults aged 25 and over in Santa Monica held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 25th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; California: 37.1%).
How many people in Santa Monica have a graduate degree?
30.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Santa Monica held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 46th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 4.1% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, 8.0% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 16.1% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in Santa Monica?
15,674 residents of Santa Monica aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 17.6% of that age group, 8th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 8,459 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 2,636 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Santa Monica?
3,531 residents of Santa Monica were enrolled as college undergraduates and 2,400 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 6.7% of residents aged 3 and over, 383rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Santa Monica attend preschool?
1,284 children in Santa Monica were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Santa Monica compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Santa Monica ranks 25 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | San Ramon | 71.6% |
| 23 | Brookhaven | 70.9% |
| 24 | Alpharetta | 70.7% |
| 25 | Santa Monica | 70.7% |
| 26 | Irvine | 70.6% |
| 27 | Cary | 70.5% |
| 28 | Walnut Creek | 70.4% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Santa Monica ranks 46 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Seattle | 30.6% |
| 44 | Walnut Creek | 30.6% |
| 45 | Apex | 30.5% |
| 46 | Santa Monica | 30.5% |
| 47 | Novi | 30.5% |
| 48 | Champaign | 30.2% |
| 49 | Iowa City | 29.8% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Santa Monica ranks 651 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 648 | Rochester | 5.3% |
| 649 | Virginia Beach | 5.3% |
| 650 | Great Falls | 5.3% |
| 651 | Santa Monica | 5.2% |
| 652 | Weymouth Town | 5.2% |
| 653 | Appleton | 5.2% |
| 654 | Bloomington | 5.2% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Santa Monica ranks 383 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 380 | Temple | 6.7% |
| 381 | Charlotte | 6.7% |
| 382 | Miami | 6.7% |
| 383 | Santa Monica | 6.7% |
| 384 | Southfield | 6.6% |
| 385 | Parker | 6.6% |
| 386 | San Bernardino | 6.6% |
More on Santa Monica: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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