Cabrillo College vs. SBCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA with Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Barbara City College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (12,334 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Santa Barbara City College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Barbara City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Santa Barbara City College 24:1.

Cabrillo College vs. SBCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo College or SBCC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Santa Barbara City College than Cabrillo College ($14,186 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Barbara City College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,086 vs. $25,281).
• Cabrillo College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBCC (about $30 more per year; $1,270.00 vs. $1,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at SBCC than at Cabrillo College (about $570 more per year; $10,432.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Santa Barbara City College (85% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Barbara City College students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Cabrillo College students ($5,889 vs. $5,600).

Cabrillo College vs. SBCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo College or SBCC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SBCC and Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; SBCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027; SBCC Aug 19, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. SBCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo College and SBCC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Santa Barbara City College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Barbara City College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cabrillo College graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, SBCC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cabrillo College graduates ($98 vs. $108).
• More Cabrillo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SBCC students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.