Reporting tool — not an official determination. This tool reflects DOE rulemaking data and modeled estimates. The public file is grouped at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level; the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs, so similar-looking majors may be classified differently across colleges. Use as a reporting lead, not a regulatory finding.
States › California › Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA › Santa Monica College › Communications & Journalism › Communication and Media Studies.

Communication and Media Studies.

Santa Monica College · Santa Monica, CA · CIP 0901 · Associate
DOE-modeled fail
DOE's public modeling data suggests this broad program grouping failed the earnings premium measure. This is based on the 4-digit CIP grouping level used in the rulemaking file — the actual rule would operate at the 6-digit level.
⚠ Data caution
This record reflects a 4-digit CIP grouping (0901) used in DOE's public modeling file. Actual enforcement under the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. The specific programs inside this grouping depend on institution-assigned CIP coding and may not map neatly to how Santa Monica College markets its majors.

Earnings data

Median earnings (yr 4 after completion)
$29,371
n=26
DOE earnings benchmark
$36,082
$6,711 below benchmark
Benchmark type
Same-State HS Median

Program context

Enrollment & completion

Program enrollment
669 (2024–25)
531 (2023–24)
Non-completion rate
13.8%
72 non-completers (2022–23)
Completers with earnings data
26
used in DOE earnings test

Debt & financial aid

Loan recipients
50 (2024–25)
35 (2023–24)
Total loan volume
$136,978 (2024–25)
$190,580 (2023–24)
Pell recipients
380 (2024–25)
239 (2023–24)

Student demographics (2018–19 enrollment)

Women
64.1%
Black / African American
10.5%
Hispanic
42.1%
White
25.3%
Enrollment and financial aid data are from the PPD:2026 source files. Demographics reflect 2018–19 program enrollees. Privacy-suppressed values are not shown.

Story angle tags

new public exposure

Reporting prompts

Methodology

What PPD:2026 is: The Department of Education's Program Performance Data file, released as part of the 2026 rulemaking. It models program outcomes at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level.

Why modeled exposure is not a final result: These are modeled estimates from a single cohort snapshot. They cannot account for future appeals, teach-outs, institutional changes, or student behavior changes.

The 4-digit vs. 6-digit gap: The public file uses 4-digit CIP codes. The actual proposed rule would use 6-digit codes. About 83% of 4-digit CIPs contain only one 6-digit CIP, but the rest may contain many.

Institution-assigned CIP codes: Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs. Similar majors at different colleges can be classified under different CIP codes, especially for interdisciplinary or area-studies programs.

Earnings measurement: Earnings are measured roughly four years after program completion, which may undercount lifetime earnings in fields with slower early-career income growth.

Benchmarks: Undergraduate programs are benchmarked against working adults aged 25–34 with only a high school diploma. Graduate programs use a more complex bachelor's-degree benchmark.

Plain-language summary (copy for notes)

DOE's public rulemaking file suggests the broad program grouping Communication and Media Studies. (CIP 0901, Associate) at Santa Monica College carries a DOE-modeled fail designation under the proposed earnings-accountability rule. This grouping is defined at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level, while the actual proposal would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. This should be treated as a reporting lead rather than a definitive regulatory finding.