Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$7,556
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$5,303
$30k - $48k
$5,834
$48k - $75k
$8,417
$75k - $110k
$12,799
$110k+
$13,976
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$1,234
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$9,322
Additional Costs
Books and Supplies
$1,152
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Aid Per Year
$5,292
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,007
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$561
Students receiving state aid
38%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,643
Students receiving federal aid
22%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,007
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$16,388,869

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
7%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,030
Students receiving federal loans
7%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,030
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$8,000
Loan Default Rate
12%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$113

What Students Are Saying

Being a community/city college, Santa Barbara City College is much cheaper than a university or state school, but you receive all the same benefits. From EOPS to the MESA center, book grants and scholarships are given out to those in need. SBCC resides at the University of California, Santa Barbara's old campus and so the students are blessed with the real college feel at the community college price.
Courtney from Goleta, CA
SBCC definitely gives you more bang for your buck. The units are so cheap compared to what you will pay elsewhere, and the classes are just as good, if not better! I would say they are better, because you're getting smaller class sizes which helps you fully learn the material. Plus, the teachers actually care about their students and want to see you succeed. Honestly, you will do better in classes at community college, and you are paying less. So you are paying less money, to do better in school, than you would if you were to take the same classes at a 4 year university. Honestly, I was going to transfer after two years, but i've decided to stay an extra year, take some of the classes I would have been taking at UCSB, here at SBCC instead, because they will cost me less and I know I will be more successful in them here. Then I can transfer with more classes completed and have to spend less time and money at the UC.
jessica from Carlsbad, CA
Mmm well, money in this college is pretty high. So i recommend you get some savings to your bank, or ask for a loan.
Daniel from Santa Barbara, CA
SBCC is really a good school if you are thinking about saving some money. The units are pretty reasonable for a college but the books are the ones that will eat your money, ranging from $40-$280 per book, depending on your classes. But even with the cost of books its pretty good because you could get into EOPS program which they will cover all of your books if you qualify for financial aid and be enrolled in 12 units. Along with the BOG which will cover the cost of units.
Christy from Goleta, CA
santa barbara has a variety of stores to shop from. from the most expensive to the person who needs to budget. shopping offers a variety of style and labels to please any shopper in santa barbara. the malls are beautiful and pleasant offering other activities of dining, movies, and entertainment. local restaurants also offer amazing food at great prices.
Lani from Montecito, CA
Classes used to be cheap, until now that the classes are a little expenses but they are worth. The food is okay with that price and the materials that are required for the classes are also okay. However, SBCC help you to get grand for book and many others.
Rodolfo from Santa Barbara, CA
Is this even a question? First of all it is a community college, so it is a lot cheaper than a lot of other schools. Plus the services you get is absolutely great. With tuition you get a bus pass, student health care, counseling, on-campus tutoring and a lot more. Not to mention it's right on the beach, which creates a great ocean feeling every day. A lot of people I have talked to, including myself, feel that a lot of the teachers are over qualified making the learning experience great.
Aaron from San Luis Obispo, CA