Santa Monica College (California)

Santa Monica College (SMC) stands as the undisputed leader in university transfers, sending more students to the University of California system than any other community college nationwide, with a 36% higher transfer rate than the average community college. This concrete advantage is backed by a robust honors program that offers rigor comparable to elite four-year institutions. Outperforming every other school on this list for UC transfers, SMC ensures students have the best possible pathway to prestigious universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley, where over 1,000 SMC students transfer annually. The ocean-adjacent campus provides an inspiring backdrop for academic achievement.