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Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA·Public·10,070 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 10,070 students.

N/A
Accept
10,070
Students
$10,029
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$42,800
Earnings
10 yr
$8,250
Debt

About This School

Santa Barbara City College is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California with approximately 10,070 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $10,029 per year. Typical graduates earn $42,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is a public community college in Santa Barbara, California, United States. It opened in 1909 and is located on a 74-acre (30 ha) campus.

This is a strong option for students looking to keep costs low — with a median debt of just $8,250 at graduation, it's one of the more affordable paths through higher education in California. The trade-off worth noting is that median earnings 10 years out sit at $42,800, which is modest, so students should think carefully about transfer goals or career pathways that lead somewhere beyond that floor. Worth considering if you're planning to transfer to a four-year school or want a low-risk, low-debt starting point in a genuinely beautiful place to study.

Founded
1909
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Social Sciences9%
Health Professions7%
Business & Marketing6%
Communications5%
Psychology3%
Visual & Performing Arts2%
Biological Sciences2%
Mathematics1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Katy PerryDavid CrosbyMansour bin Zayed Al NahyanBrittni De La MoraEion BaileyElliot Rodger

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$1,234
Out-of-State Tuition
$10,186
Avg Net Price
$10,029
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$8,250

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$8,250
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$8,250
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,900
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 5.2x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White40%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino38%
Asian5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10,070 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Santa Barbara City College

721 Cliff Drive

Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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