About Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara City College is a comprehensive community college serving the south coast of Santa Barbara County. Established in 1909, SBCC has a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs, as well as transfer programs that provide the first two years of study toward the baccalaureate degree. Students are attracted to SBCC by virtue of its outstanding faculty, small classes, state-of-the-art facilities, student support services and incredible location.
There are many career and academic pathways at SBCC. These are groupings of similar degree and certificate programs. These pathways are designed to help students make steady progress towards their academic goals. Many of SBCC’s programs are offered fully online through the distance education. Free non-credit adult education classes are also offered.
Read More ↓ Show Less ↑
Accreditation & Licensing
Santa Barbara City College is accredited by:
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
Type:
2-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Postsecondary award, certificate or diploma of at least two but less than four academic yearsReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableGraduate Enrollment:
Not applicableFully Online Graduate Students:
Not applicableMedian Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$11,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
43%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$4,472Credit for Military Training:
YesSanta Barbara City College is a strong choice for students planning to transfer. It offers many programs that line up with transfer goals. That makes it easier to finish lower-division classes and move on to a university. For many students, this clear path can save time and support steady progress.
The biggest challenge is daily cost in Santa Barbara. Living costs are high, and parking can be tough and expensive. Those pressures can add stress and make school schedules harder to manage, even when your class plan is clear.
Help at SBCC is visible in day-to-day school life. Professors genuinely care and want to see you succeed, and staff are really nice and helpful, and really want the best for you. Support is not hidden behind one office; students can use the Wellness Center and Basic Needs Center when life pressure rises.
Academic help is also easy to find. Tutoring is available in every subject, including Phi Theta volunteer tutors, so students have more than one place to get unstuck. With classes around 40 students in some courses, professor contact can feel more reachable and personal.
SBCC gives online students clear people support. Instructors are approachable. Staff are helpful. Help is not hard to find when work gets busy.
Support services add structure outside class. The Wellness Center and Basic Needs Center are real touchpoints. Transfer planning is also a core part of the school’s path. That gives many online learners a practical pace and direction.
At Santa Barbara City College, classes often feel personal for a community college. Many classes are around 40 students. That size can make it easier to get help and talk with professors. Teaching is a real strength here, with instructors known for clear, supportive class time.
Support also goes beyond class. Students have access to tutoring, the Wellness Center, and the Basic Needs Center when life gets stressful. The main challenge is daily cost and logistics. Housing in Santa Barbara can be expensive, and parking can add stress, even with strong teaching and support.
SBCC reads as a supportive, transfer-friendly college. Professors are caring and strong. Staff are helpful and engaged. Classes around 40 students can improve professor access.
Support is concrete, not just a slogan. The Wellness Center and Basic Needs Center stand out. Tutoring options are broad. This helps students keep moving through classes and plans.
The main pressure is off campus. Santa Barbara living costs are high. Housing can be hard to manage. Parking adds daily friction. Overall, SBCC offers a solid academic path with real support.
SBCC reads as a supportive, transfer-friendly college. Professors are caring and strong. Staff are helpful and engaged. Classes around 40 students can improve professor access.
Support is concrete, not just a slogan. The Wellness Center and Basic Needs Center stand out. Tutoring options are broad. This helps students keep moving through classes and plans.
The main pressure is off campus. Santa Barbara living costs are high. Housing can be hard to manage. Parking adds daily friction. Overall, SBCC offers a solid academic path with real support.
Online Programs offered by Santa Barbara City College
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Computer Science & IT
Healthcare
Math & Science
Psychology & Human Services
Filters
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Barbara City College
Is Santa Barbara City College accredited?
Yes. Santa Barbara City College is institutionally accredited by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
How many online programs does Santa Barbara City College offer?
Santa Barbara City College offers 17 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Santa Barbara City College offer?
Santa Barbara City College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Santa Barbara City College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Santa Barbara City College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Santa Barbara City College falls into GetEducated’s $ tuition tier, which points to a lower tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Santa Barbara City College?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Santa Barbara City College first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is Santa Barbara City College military friendly?
Santa Barbara City College does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Santa Barbara City College through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Santa Barbara City College applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Santa Barbara City College accept life experience credit?
Santa Barbara City College does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Santa Barbara City College programs fully online or mixed?
Santa Barbara City College programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Santa Barbara City College offer?
Santa Barbara City College has online program options in areas such as Healthcare, Business, Art & Liberal Arts, and Computer Science & IT; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Santa Barbara City College programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Are any admission tests required for Santa Barbara City College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is ACT/SAT, Placement Test. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Santa Barbara City College?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Santa Barbara City College programs have state authorization limitations?
Some programs show state or location restrictions, so students should confirm eligibility for their state before applying. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Santa Barbara City College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Santa Barbara City College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Santa Barbara City College programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Santa Barbara City College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Santa Barbara City College is featured in 4 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Santa Barbara City College is located in California
California at a Glance:
Top Majors in California:
Top Incentives in California:
- Cal Grant Program: Up to $12,570 annually
- Middle Class Scholarship: Up to 40% of tuition and fees
- Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan: Full tuition coverage
Top Career Pathways in California:
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($95,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Engineer ($150,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($200,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Security+, CISSP
- Entry Level: Clinical Manager ($75,000)
- Mid Level: Hospital Administrator ($120,000)
- Senior Level: Healthcare Executive ($180,000+)
- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, CPHQ
- Entry Level: Environmental Specialist ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Environmental Manager ($110,000)
- Senior Level: Sustainability Director ($160,000+)
- Required Education: BS Environmental Science
- Certifications: CHMM, PE