SBCC vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Barbara City College is larger than Norco College based on total student enrollment (12,334 students vs. 11,351 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Santa Barbara City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Barbara City College 24:1; Norco College 29:1.

SBCC vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SBCC or Norco College? 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 Norco College than SBCC ($8,534 vs. $14,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Barbara City College are 17.4% lower than at Norco College ($22,086 vs. $26,740).
• Norco College is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBCC (about $188 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at Norco College than at Santa Barbara City College (about $2,066 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $10,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norco College than at Santa Barbara City College (81% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Barbara City College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Norco College students ($5,889 vs. $5,343).

SBCC vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SBCC or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco College and SBCC.

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

SBCC vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SBCC and Norco College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Santa Barbara City College have median earnings of about $40,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Norco College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Norco College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SBCC graduates ($8,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Norco College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SBCC graduates ($82 vs. $98).
• More Norco College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SBCC students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.