SBCC's tuition & fees has increased from $8,086 (2015) to $10,432 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 29.01% over the past 10 years.
SBCC's tuition increase rate is higher than the California's average increase rate of 14.58%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 65.92% from 2015 ($24,416).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, SBCC's COA is $40,510, which is increased by 10.24% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to SBCC's COA over the past 10 years.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2015-16 | - | - | $17,796 | $24,416 | - |
| 2016-17 | - | - | $18,096 | $24,856 | 1.80% |
| 2017-18 | - | - | $18,096 | $24,856 | |
| 2018-19 | - | - | $18,096 | $24,856 | |
| 2019-20 | - | - | $18,096 | $24,856 | |
| 2020-21 | - | - | $18,096 | $24,856 | |
| 2021-22 | - | - | $24,371 | $32,051 | 28.95% |
| 2022-23 | - | - | $25,030 | $33,118 | 3.33% |
| 2023-24 | - | - | $27,795 | $36,747 | 10.96% |
| 2024-25 | - | - | $31,318 | $40,510 | 10.24% |
The tuition & fees have increased 29.01% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $9,768. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Santa Barbara City College over last the 10 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Change By Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2015-16 | $1,466 | $8,086 | - |
| 2016-17 | $1,466 | $8,226 | 1.73% |
| 2017-18 | $1,466 | $8,226 | |
| 2018-19 | $1,466 | $8,226 | |
| 2019-20 | $1,466 | $8,226 | |
| 2020-21 | $1,466 | $8,226 | |
| 2021-22 | $1,232 | $8,912 | 8.34% |
| 2022-23 | $1,234 | $9,322 | 4.60% |
| 2023-24 | $1,234 | $10,186 | 9.27% |
| 2024-25 | $1,240 | $10,432 | 2.42% |
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,062, and it has decreased -36.79% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,680 | - |
| 2016-17 | $1,680 | |
| 2017-18 | $1,680 | |
| 2018-19 | $1,680 | |
| 2019-20 | $1,680 | |
| 2020-21 | $1,680 | |
| 2021-22 | $1,125 | -33.04% |
| 2022-23 | $1,152 | 2.40% |
| 2023-24 | $938 | -18.58% |
| 2024-25 | $1,062 | 13.22% |
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 56.17% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Santa Barbara City College.
| Year | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $14,650 | - |
| 2016-17 | $14,950 | 2.05% |
| 2017-18 | $14,950 | |
| 2018-19 | $14,950 | |
| 2019-20 | $14,950 | |
| 2020-21 | $14,950 | |
| 2021-22 | $22,014 | 47.25% |
| 2022-23 | $22,644 | 2.86% |
| 2023-24 | $25,623 | 13.16% |
| 2024-25 | $29,016 | 13.24% |
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Santa Barbara City College and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara City College | $10,432 ($1,240) | $10,186 ($1,234) | 2.42% |
| American River College | $12,616 ($1,288) | $12,808 ($1,288) | -1.50% |
| Mt San Antonio College | $10,464 ($1,364) | $10,212 ($1,364) | 2.47% |
| Long Beach City College | $12,544 ($1,556) | $11,440 ($1,556) | 9.65% |
| Pasadena City College | $10,924 ($1,180) | $10,756 ($1,180) | 1.56% |
| Chaffey College | $11,120 ($1,184) | $11,120 ($1,184) | - |
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