Santa Barbara City College
About Santa Barbara City College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Santa Barbara City College sits on a bluff above the Pacific and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with one of the strongest transfer records in California. The sciences and media studies are among its largest programs.
Founded
1909
Location
Santa Barbara, California
Students
9,889
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
33.6%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,240
Out-of-state: $10,432
Avg Net Price
$11,315
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$47,647
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
33.6% complete their degree within three years
Retention
65%
Transfer Out
17%
Teaching Quality
35:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
39%
$/Student
$12.5K
Class Size
Large
The 33.6% graduation rate is below average, but 65% 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
$1,240
In-State
$10,432
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$20,394
After Financial Aid
$11,315
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,333
Receive Grants
17.9%
Take Loans
3.6%
Tuition is $1,240/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $11,315.
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 Santa Barbara City College fund their education.
While in School
17.9%
Get Grants
Free money
3.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$22,909
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$11,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$117/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $11,000, 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 Santa Barbara City College.
Gender
55.9%
Female
44%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
9,889
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
45.7%
First-Gen
24 yrs
Avg Age
24.7%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 56% of the student body. 45.7% 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
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
9,889
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Santa Barbara City College fields 12 varsity teams with 356 student athletes, about 4% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
356
4% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
60% / 40%
213
Men
143
Women
8
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Santa Barbara City Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$47,647
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
—
736 grads
Biological and Physical Sciences
—
362 grads
Communication and Media Studies
—
183 grads
Economics
—
179 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
—
145 grads
Psychology, General
—
106 grads
Graduates earn about $36K six years out, growing to $48K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Barbara City College
How much does Santa Barbara City College cost?▾
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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.