SBCC vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern College is larger than SBCC based on total student enrollment (20,986 students vs. 12,334 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Barbara City College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Santa Barbara City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Barbara City College 24:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

SBCC vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SBCC or Southwestern 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 Santa Barbara City College than Southwestern College ($14,186 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Barbara City College are 7.6% lower than at Southwestern College ($22,086 vs. $23,897).
• Southwestern College is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBCC (about $104 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Southwestern College than at Santa Barbara City College (about $208 more per year; $10,640.00 vs. $10,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Santa Barbara City College (86% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Santa Barbara City College students ($6,821 vs. $5,889).

SBCC vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SBCC or Southwestern College? 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 Southwestern 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; Southwestern College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SBCC Aug 19, 2027.

SBCC vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SBCC and Southwestern College? 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 $6,300 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than SBCC graduates ($4,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SBCC graduates ($46 vs. $98).
• More SBCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 36%)

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.