Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

Public Associate Programs
$1,234
In-State Tuition
35.6%
Graduation Rate
$47,647
Median Earnings
10,070
Enrollment

Santa Barbara City College is a public institution in Santa Barbara, California with 10,070 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.

In-state tuition is $1,234 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 35.6%, median earnings of $47,647, and median federal debt of $11,000.

Tuition vs State
$1,234
-$9,337

$1,234 is lower than the state average of $10,571.

Graduation vs State
35.6%
-19.4%

35.6% is lower than the state average of 55.0%.

Earnings vs State
$47,647
+$4,217

$47,647 is higher than the state average of $43,430.

Tuition rank: Cheapest 77% Graduation rank: Top 74% Value rank: Top 38%

About Santa Barbara City College

Location Santa Barbara, California
Institution Type Public
Highest Degree associate
Website www.sbcc.edu
In-State Tuition $1,234
Out-of-State Tuition $10,186
Total Enrollment 10,070
Acceptance Rate N/A
Graduation Rate 35.6%
Retention Rate 61.2%
Median Earnings (10 yrs after) $47,647
Median Debt at Graduation $11,000
Est. Monthly Loan Payment $116
Pell Grant Recipients 15.5%
Students Receiving Loans 3.3%
Loan Default Rate 0.0%
Nursing Program Available

Cost and Return Snapshot

Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data

4-Year Tuition
$4,936
Median Debt
$11,000
Monthly Payment
$116
Earnings / Debt
4.3x

A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.

Affordability Context

15.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 3.3% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.

Cost and Outcomes Context

The value picture at Santa Barbara City College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $4,936, while the reported median debt is $11,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $116. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.

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Student Demographics

The student body is largest among White students (40.2%), followed by Hispanic students (38.4%) and Asian students (4.8%).

White40.2%
Hispanic38.4%
Asian4.8%
Black2.5%

Value Score

4.3x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

Median earnings ($47,647) divided by median debt ($11,000)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Santa Barbara City College located?
Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, California.
Does Santa Barbara City College offer nursing programs?
Santa Barbara City College reports nursing program activity in federal College Scorecard data.
What is in-state tuition at Santa Barbara City College?
Published in-state tuition is $1,234. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $4,936 before fees, housing, books, and aid.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Barbara City College?
Santa Barbara City College reports a graduation rate of 35.6%, placing it around the 27th percentile among nursing peers in California.
How much do Santa Barbara City College students earn after attending?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $47,647. This figure is schoolwide outcomes data, not a nursing-only salary guarantee.
What is median debt at Santa Barbara City College?
Median federal student debt is $11,000, with an estimated 10-year monthly payment of $116.
How large is Santa Barbara City College?
Santa Barbara City College enrolls about 10,070 undergraduate students.