Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Santa Barbara City College
Set above the shoreline, Santa Barbara City College pairs a relaxed coastal setting with focused academics. Faculty are known for teaching first and staying accessible, with labs, studios, and project spaces that keep learning hands-on. Students get a grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, plus a well-used library, tutoring and transfer advising, counseling and wellness support, and resources for veterans and first-gen learners. Facilities include art and performance venues, athletic fields, and a fitness center.
Student life is laid-back yet active. Clubs, service projects, and intramurals mix with hiking, surfing, and pickup games. The culture favors inclusion, persistence, and a practical path forward. SBCC has a reputation for strong transfer prep and career readiness, with connections to internships and local employers in hospitality, environmental work, health care, tech, and the arts. And the Santa Barbara community adds galleries and partnerships that make classwork feel real.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) offers 71 degree programs across 29 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,070 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,816 graduates), Social Sciences (6 programs, 360 graduates), Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 340 graduates), Business (8 programs, 264 graduates) and Communication (3 programs, 236 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,816 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 1,488 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24.0101 |
| Humanities Studies | 328 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0103 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 360 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 215 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology | 75 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 48 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1001 |
| Geography | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0701 |
| International Relations | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0901 |
| Anthropology | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 340 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 340 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Business (8 programs, 264 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 161 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 45 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 35 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.1801 |
| Real Estate | 16 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.1501 |
| Small Business Management | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0703 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.0401 |
| Banking and Financial Services | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0803 |
| Hospitality Management | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
Communication (3 programs, 236 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 216 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0101 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0701 |
| Journalism | 7 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
09.0401 |
Health (6 programs, 176 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technology | 70 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0707 |
| Registered Nursing | 38 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Medical Insurance Coding | 33 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0713 |
| Radiologic Technology | 27 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 6 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.1501 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3901 |
Psychology (1 programs, 122 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 122 |
|
Associate's
|
42.0101 |
Mathematics (1 programs, 94 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 94 |
|
Associate's
|
27.0101 |
Arts (8 programs, 90 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 22 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0701 |
| Graphic Design | 20 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0409 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 17 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0602 |
| Theatre Arts | 15 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0501 |
| Interior Design | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
| Film and Media Studies | 3 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0601 |
| Dance | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0301 |
| Music | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0901 |
Human Sciences (2 programs, 84 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 83 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)
How much does it cost to attend Santa Barbara City College (SBCC)?
The annual tuition at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is $1,234 for in-state students and $10,186 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,172 for in-state students and $11,124 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $20,232 (off-campus) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Santa Barbara City College offer?
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) offers 71 academic programs across 29 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (1 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Santa Barbara City College?
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,483 and average loans of $5,204.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,044
- State/Local grants: $2,798
- Institutional grants: $1,200
- Federal loans: $4,951
The university supports 701 students with grants and 79 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Santa Barbara City College graduates?
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) graduates earn a median salary of $35,744 after 6 years and $47,647 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $23,778 (25th percentile) to $74,712 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $80,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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