Delta vs. SBCC

Comparable Facts

Compare San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA with Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Joaquin Delta College is larger than SBCC based on total student enrollment (20,969 students vs. 12,334 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Joaquin Delta College is located in Stockton, CA (Large City setting); Santa Barbara City College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting).
• San Joaquin Delta 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: San Joaquin Delta College 45:1; Santa Barbara City College 24:1.

Delta vs. SBCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delta 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 San Joaquin Delta College than SBCC ($3,293 vs. $14,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Joaquin Delta College are 2.2% lower than at Santa Barbara City College ($21,600 vs. $22,086).
• Santa Barbara City College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Delta (about $60 more per year; $1,240.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at SBCC than at San Joaquin Delta College (about $660 more per year; $10,432.00 vs. $9,772.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Joaquin Delta College than at Santa Barbara City College (58% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Joaquin Delta College students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Santa Barbara City College students ($6,311 vs. $5,889).

Delta vs. SBCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delta 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 Delta.

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

Delta vs. SBCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Delta 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 $5,500 more per year than Delta graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Joaquin Delta College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SBCC graduates ($7,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Delta graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SBCC graduates ($72 vs. $98).
• More SBCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Delta students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 24%)

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.