Student Enrollment

Understand who studies at Santa Barbara City College — from total enrollment and demographics to attendance status.

Santa Barbara, CA

Total Enrollment

12,334

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

149

149 career programs

Full-Time Students

4,859

7,475 part-time

Total FTE

8,841

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

35:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Program Focus

1320
Certificate Graduates
Short-term specialized training
4074
Total Recent Graduates

With 12,334 students, Santa Barbara City College is a large vocational institution offering diverse career training programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 149 specialized career programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 4,859 (39.4%)
39.4%
Part-Time Students 7,475 (60.6%)
60.6%
Total Students 12,334

Majority part-time students (60.6%), serving working professionals and those with other commitments.

Full-Time
Part-Time

Students are split between full-time (39.4%) and part-time attendance, reflecting flexible scheduling for working professionals.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Gender Split
Women
54.8%
6,761 students
Men
45.2%
5,573 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group
White
37.2%
4,593 students
White
37.2% (4,593)
Hispanic/Latino
36.2% (4,467)
Two or More Races
5.6% (690)
Asian
4.6% (564)
International Students
2.7% (331)
Black/African American
2.3% (288)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.2% (30)
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.2% (26)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 12,334 students

Largest Ethnic Group: White students make up 37% of the student body (4,593 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

12,334 students

45% Men, 55% Women
4,859 Full-time 7,475 Part-time
Diversity Index: 71% • Minority Students: 44%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

4,859
All full-time students
2,226 men, 2,633 women
Diversity: 68%

FT Undergraduate

Subtotal
4,859
Full-time undergraduate
= 4,711 Degree-Seeking + 148 Non-Degree
2,226 men, 2,633 women
Diversity: 68%

FT Degree-Seeking

Subtotal
4,711
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
= 1,543 First-Time + 3,168 Other Degree-Seeking
2,158 men, 2,553 women
Diversity: 68%

FT First-Time

1,543
Full-time first-time students
720 men, 823 women
Diversity: 69%

FT Other Degree-Seeking

Subtotal
3,168
Full-time transfers-in plus continuing
= 217 Transfer + 2,951 Continuing
1,438 men, 1,730 women
Diversity: 66%

FT Transfer

217
Full-time transfer-in students
102 men, 115 women
Diversity: 64%

FT Continuing

2,951
Full-time continuing students
1,336 men, 1,615 women
Diversity: 66%

FT Non-Degree

148
Full-time non-degree seeking
68 men, 80 women
Diversity: 61%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

7,475
All part-time students
3,347 men, 4,128 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Undergraduate

Subtotal
7,475
Part-time undergraduate
= 5,178 Degree-Seeking + 2,297 Non-Degree
3,347 men, 4,128 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Degree-Seeking

Subtotal
5,178
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
= 937 First-Time + 4,241 Other Degree-Seeking
2,199 men, 2,979 women
Diversity: 68%

PT First-Time

937
Part-time first-time students
476 men, 461 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Other Degree-Seeking

Subtotal
4,241
Part-time transfers-in plus continuing
= 524 Transfer + 3,717 Continuing
1,723 men, 2,518 women
Diversity: 67%

PT Transfer

524
Part-time transfer-in students
209 men, 315 women
Diversity: 71%

PT Continuing

3,717
Part-time continuing students
1,514 men, 2,203 women
Diversity: 66%

PT Non-Degree

2,297
Part-time non-degree seeking
1,148 men, 1,149 women
Diversity: 71%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

4,593
White
288
Black/African American
4,467
Hispanic/Latino
564
Asian
331
International
Diversity Index: 71% Minority Students: 44%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About Santa Barbara City College's Student Body

Training Environment: Large vocational institution with 12,334 students offering extensive career programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Study Patterns: Flexible scheduling with many part-time students balancing work and education.
Academic Intensity: 8,841 FTE students indicates flexible scheduling accommodating working students.
Learning Format: Traditional in-person education with online components for flexibility.
Academic Environment: Standard class sizes (35:1) with structured learning environment.
Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.
Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.
Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Contact Information

Address

721 Cliff Drive

Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394

Student Success

The student body at trade colleges often includes:

  • • Working adults seeking career changes
  • • Recent high school graduates
  • • Military veterans using education benefits
  • • Students upgrading skills in their field
  • • Individuals seeking fast-track credentials
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