Grossmont College vs. SBCC

Comparable Facts

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

Grossmont College is larger than SBCC based on total student enrollment (14,440 students vs. 12,334 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, CA (Large Suburban setting); Santa Barbara City College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting).
• Grossmont 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: Grossmont College 24:1; Santa Barbara City College 24:1.

Grossmont College vs. SBCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grossmont 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 Grossmont College than SBCC ($8,351 vs. $14,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Grossmont College and SBCC ($22,086).
• Grossmont College is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBCC (about $92 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Grossmont College than at Santa Barbara City College (about $196 more per year; $10,628.00 vs. $10,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grossmont College than at Santa Barbara City College (67% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grossmont College students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Santa Barbara City College students ($6,370 vs. $5,889).

Grossmont College vs. SBCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grossmont 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 Grossmont College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grossmont College - Open admission; SBCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grossmont College Jun 1, 2027; SBCC Aug 19, 2027.

Grossmont College vs. SBCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grossmont 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 $2,200 more per year than Grossmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than SBCC graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Grossmont College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SBCC graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More Grossmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SBCC students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.