Santa Barbara City College
Locations: CA-Santa Barbara
Degrees: Associate's
Programs: Accounting, Interior Design, Game Art, Film Production, Multimedia, Physics and many others (over 130 total)
Tuition Range: $1,100 - $7,400 per Semester
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Ranked as one of the top 10 community colleges in the U.S., Santa Barbara City College enrolls about 20,000 students and offers over 130 degree and certificate programs in fields of study ranging from Business to Sociology to Theatre Arts. Of particular note within SBCC is its School of Media Arts (SOMA), which offers numerous associate’s degrees in Film Studies, Film Production, Multimedia (including Game Design and Animation), Graphic Design, Photography and Journalism. While these are two-year programs culminating in an associate’s degree, most of these programs can transfer credits to one of numerous state universities (and some out-of-state universities) for continuation toward a bachelor’s degree.
Community colleges in California are very favorable to California residents tuition-wise, and SBCC is no exception. Tuition is based on credits taken, but a full-time California resident can expect to pay about $1100 per semester, not including books and fees. (Non-residents will pay roughly $7700 per semester.) For California residents on tight budgets, this offers an economical way to start on a degree for less money than most universities charge.
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Student Reviews
Ranked as one of the top 10 community colleges in the U.S., Santa Barbara City College enrolls about 20,000 students and offers over 130 degree and certificate programs in fields of study ranging from Business to Sociology to Theatre Arts. Of particular note within SBCC is its School of Media Arts (SOMA), which offers numerous [...]
Review by Tim B.
July 15, 2012 3I attended Santa Barbara City College in southern California. It’s not a major film school, but they have a pretty excellent film program. I studied cinematography, editing, and directing.
I did not graduate. After studying abroad and shooting a few solo projects I realized that once you know how to use the tools, the education aspect is just for show. Going out and getting involved in the field is all that matters. You don’t need school to gain experience or a resume.
It met certain expectations. I learned the terminology and the essentials of the craft. I believe that what’s most important is interacting with like minded people, and discovering how you work in a collaborative environment. Film School is great for that.
I’ve found work through word of mouth. Friends who know that I work hard and create good work suggest me, and I do the same. Networking is a great thing. You don’t necessarily need college for that, but it gives you a head start. Another major help is the internet. Most recently I’ve been hired to produce a web series by a notable production company just because they enjoyed a video I posted online.
I would recommend film school, but with caution. Go there with a plan, and leave when you feel you have what you want. I see the lack the importance in having a degree. There are lots of independent jobs out there, and it is the work that matters.
Debt Accrued: $5,001 - $10,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Andrew A.
November 10, 2011 5This is one of the best schools, its hard to believe that it is a community college. I am an out of state student and was scared that it would be hard to meet people, but i was way off.
Life/people: people here are so friendly and there are so many people who came from other states and a lot of international students ( a lot from Sweden) so no worries about meeting people. Also the night life is pretty good,a lot of bars, stores and restaurants downtown which is walking distance away. For the parties, Isla vista is your place.
Location: it is located in the nicest place, overlooking the beach and the mountains .. it is so beautiful and so close to downtown.
Education: the teachers are pretty easygoing, some more than others. and depending on the class, i think the workload is pretty reasonable , math classes (college algbra- claculus) are pretty challenging and so are all the other advanced classes.
Overall this is a great school. Even better for those looking to transfer and save money. Great campus, generally young population , does not feel like a community college. would definitely recommend this school to people wanting to leave home and go far, someone who wants to transfer to a legit school.
Best decision i have ever made
Review by Carlos P.
October 27, 2011 1HORRIBLE school and teachers are harrasing students! I took classes in automotive services in 2008 with an aold crouchy teacher Robert Stockero. He was harrasing me all the quarter saying in front of other students that I am stealing his money that he pays in taxes by taking federal grants for whoch I was eligible and thus paid for my school and accordingly to him. He kept saying that until i vidieotaped him. Then I showed to the counselor. I left the school because I didnt want to be embarassed anymore. Then, I found out that I was disqualified from Finaid and need to appeal. When I emailed to them they never responded. When i called them, they told me that Santa Brabra is an expesive place and it would be better if i went to school somewhere else. I still need to write a complaint to the board of higher education on these bunch of crooks.
Review by Linda R.
September 12, 2011 2.5The education I have received has been well worth the money put into receiving it. The teachers have for the most part been fair and knowledgable in the area they are teaching, as well as passionate and encouraging.
There have been some hitches with the school process though, mainly receiving financial aid.
The main person in the financial aid office is very rude and condescending. Also, how notices are posted on the school site about finanical aid make it confusing to know hwats really going on.
Overall though, I love my school. The education is great, the teachers become friends, my class mates become roomates, and the campus is beautiful!
Review by Abgar Y.
April 5, 2011 2.5All teachers are uber liberal. The school policies trys to make ppl drop out. Ur forced to pay socialized health care or else u get dropped. Ur also forced to buy a bus pass even if u drive or u will be dropped. U need to fill out a form for a refund. Not automatic. Nice campus tho.
Review by Justin F.
January 6, 2011 5This place is FANTASTIC.
Fun fact: Barack Obama visited here while campaigning and made a joke about how if he went here, he’d get no studying done! And it’s pretty true, it can be hard to stay focused when you’re located across the street from Leadbetter Beach (pretty much the most popular beach as it’s right near downtown, is clean, and has lots of things to do, like volleyball and whatnot).
The teachers that I’ve had were all very good. This is a great place to take introductory to intermediate level courses for the first time or as a refresher. The courses are very cheap and you meet a very diverse student population.
There are frisbee and soccer games on the track, or the field above the track so keep an eye out for that – Saturday evenings is a popular time for pickup.
Overall it’s a great place for those who are looking for a stepping stone toward a four year or other degree, or for those who are just looking to learn something interesting!
Review by Jesse S.
March 31, 2010 1.8Friendly, Yet Not Compassionate Towards Second Chances
The ladies at the financial aid reception desk are helpful enough, but they are not forthcoming with a lot of helpful information. If you need anything more than the bare minimum information, you must ask them over and over like a game of 20 questions. The financial aid department seems rather unforgiving of prior academic record and unwilling to forgive and grant second chances for a student to turn things around.
Review by Margot P.
December 24, 2009 4.3SBCC is located very close to Downtown Santa Barbara, and there’s an express bus between campus and Isla Vista if you want the college experience without paying UC fees for your first two years as an undergraduate. SBCC has the highest transfer rate to UC Berkeley (or it did when I was a student there a couple of years ago), and has a transfer agreement with UCSB. I think that people who go to UCSB right out of high school are wasting their parents’ money. You get a better quality of education at SBCC, as professors are teaching you rather than TA’s who don’t even have PhD’s yet, and classes are in small classrooms rather than 500 person lecture halls. Also, SBCC’s reputation is built on the number of successful transfers, whereas UCSB just wants to weed out seniors and freshmen as quickly as possible. Sure, there is a stigma associated with going to community college, but get over it.