Cabrillo College
About Cabrillo College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Cabrillo College teaches in Aptos, on the coast south of Santa Cruz, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Kinesiology, psychology and the transfer track are its largest programs, and it sends many students up the hill to UC Santa Cruz.
Founded
1959
Location
Aptos, California
Students
8,002
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
38%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,270
Out-of-state: $9,862
Avg Net Price
$15,843
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$44,114
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
38% complete their degree within three years
Retention
73.4%
Transfer Out
11%
Teaching Quality
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
45.2%
$/Student
$13.7K
Class Size
Medium
The 38% graduation rate is below average, but 73.4% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,270
In-State
$9,862
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$2,250
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,966
After Financial Aid
$15,843
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$14,656
Receive Grants
24.4%
Take Loans
1.3%
Tuition is $1,270/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $15,843.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Cabrillo College fund their education.
While in School
24.4%
Get Grants
Free money
1.3%
Take Loans
Must repay
$19,212
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$14,380
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$152/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $14,380, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Cabrillo College.
Gender
56.7%
Female
43%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
8,002
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
50.8%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
35.4%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 57% of the student body. 50.8% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
8,002
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Cabrillo College fields 10 varsity teams with 236 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
10
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
236
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
153
Men
83
Women
7
Men's Teams
7
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Cabrillo Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$44,114
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
—
726 grads
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
—
186 grads
Psychology, General
—
78 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
—
65 grads
Business/Commerce, General
—
54 grads
Economics
—
50 grads
Graduates earn about $35K six years out, growing to $44K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cabrillo College
How much does Cabrillo College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Cabrillo College?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.