Santa Barbara City College Tuition & Completion (2026)
Santa Barbara City College is a public community college in Santa Barbara, California, serving roughly 9,889 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $11,315 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $1,240. Student demographics in federal data include White (40.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (38.2%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $1,240
- 2024 Average Net Price: $11,315 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 9,889 47.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 33.63%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
- First-Generation Students: 45.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 10.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 39.0%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,834
- Room & Board: $22,086 annual estimate
Santa Barbara City College: what the data shows
Common questions about Santa Barbara City College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Santa Barbara City College?
Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (ZIP 93109-2394).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Santa Barbara City College public or private?
Santa Barbara City College is a Public institution.
How much does Santa Barbara City College cost?
Published tuition: $1,240 in-state, $10,432 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $11,315.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,333 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,868 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,536 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,381 |
| $110,001+ | $19,544 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $4,960.
How big is Santa Barbara City College?
Total enrollment: 9,889 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 18,834 students.
About 48% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Barbara City College?
150%-time completion rate: 33.63%.
First-year retention: 65.0%.
What do graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn?
Median earnings: $35,744 six years after entry; $47,647 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $11,000.
17.88% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Santa Barbara City College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (1,488 completions)
- Biological and Physical Sciences (340 completions)
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies (328 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (216 completions)
- Economics, General (215 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (161 completions)
- Psychology, General (122 completions)
- Mathematics, General (94 completions)
- Child Care Provider/Assistant (83 completions)
- Sociology, General (75 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Santa Barbara City College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 33.63%; median earnings $47,647 at 10 years; net price $11,315. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$1,240
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Santa Barbara City College was $1,240.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$11,315
2024 Value
In 2024 Santa Barbara City College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,315.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$45,260 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$11,315 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$4,960 4-Year In-State Tuition
$41,728 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$22,086 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,062 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,388 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$97,552 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Santa Barbara City College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
17.88% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
3.60% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Santa Barbara City College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Santa Barbara City College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $1,374 | $7,254 | $9,940 |
| 2014 | $1,374 | $6,836 | $9,804 |
| 2015 | $1,374 | $8,086 | $9,781 |
| 2016 | $1,374 | $8,326 | $9,846 |
| 2017 | $1,374 | $8,326 | $9,985 |
| 2018 | $1,374 | $8,326 | $8,976 |
| 2019 | $1,374 | $8,326 | $7,556 |
| 2020 | $1,374 | $8,326 | $6,775 |
| 2021 | $1,232 | $8,912 | $11,391 |
| 2022 | $1,234 | $9,322 | $11,174 |
| 2023 | $1,234 | $10,186 | $10,029 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Santa Barbara City College reported total enrollment of about 9,889 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (40.6%), Hispanic or Latino (38.2%), and Two or More Races (6.1%). About 17.88% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 45.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
47.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Santa Barbara City College in 2024 is 9,889 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 18,834 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
65.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 40.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
17.06% 100% Completion Time
33.63% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 17.06% of students graduating from Santa Barbara City College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 37% male / 63% female
- Biological and Physical Sciences: 45% male / 55% female
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies: 35% male / 65% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Santa Barbara City College.
Return on Investment
$11,000 Median Student Debt
$47,647 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
23.09% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
952.74% Return on Investment
2.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Santa Barbara City College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 73 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 1,488 completions
2. Biological and Physical Sciences: 340 completions
3. Humanities/Humanistic Studies: 328 completions
4. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 216 completions
5. Economics, General: 215 completions
6. Business Administration and Management, General: 161 completions
7. Psychology, General: 122 completions
8. Mathematics, General: 94 completions
9. Child Care Provider/Assistant: 83 completions
Most popular programs at Santa Barbara City College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Santa Barbara City College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Santa Barbara City College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 39.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,646
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,542
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Santa Barbara City College is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, CA, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Biological and Physical Sciences, Humanities/Humanistic Studies. Enrollment is approximately 9,889 students. Student body composition includes White (40.6%), Hispanic or Latino (38.2%), Two or More Races (6.1%). The 150%-time completion rate is 33.63%. Approximately 17.88% of students receive Pell Grants. About 45.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Location
Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 33.63% graduation rate at Santa Barbara City College falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 73 distinct degree programs, Santa Barbara City College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Santa Barbara City College located?
Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
How much does Santa Barbara City College cost?
Reported tuition is $1,240 and average net price is $11,315 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $22,086 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Santa Barbara City College?
Santa Barbara City College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 18,834 students, White (40.6%), Hispanic or Latino (38.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Santa Barbara City College?
About 45.7% of students at Santa Barbara City College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn?
Median earnings are $35,744 six years after entry and $47,647 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Barbara City College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 33.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Santa Barbara City College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $11,000.
Is Santa Barbara City College public or private?
Santa Barbara City College is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, CA.
Is Santa Barbara City College an HBCU?
No. Santa Barbara City College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Santa Barbara City College a tribal college?
No. Santa Barbara City College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Santa Barbara City College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—Santa Barbara City College reports 38.2% Hispanic enrollment share.
Is Santa Barbara City College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Santa Barbara City College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college profile
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- California trade schools profile
- Santa Barbara, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- California trade schools profile
- Santa Barbara, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.