Colleges Near Santa Barbara, California
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Santa Barbara? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 40 miles of Santa Barbara, California.
There are at least 11 colleges serving the area, including 7 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Santa Barbara, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Santa Barbara, California Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Santa Barbara, California have been growing
over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 14,546 doctorates at colleges and universities near Santa Barbara. That was an increase of
6% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
2019:13679
2020:14785
2021:14727
2022:13727
2023:14546
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded
in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their
needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and
doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Part Time: 3,173
Full Time: 1,944
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Santa Barbara, California
There are at least 7 schools offering degrees near Santa Barbara, California, and 7
are four-year private colleges or universities where about 6,461 undergraduate students were enrolled.
In 2023, a total of 3,286 degrees were completed at
private colleges and universities, including 2,513 that were offered online.
Source Details
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577
Accredited
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral
programs in the Santa Barbara, California area.
Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all
programs completed were offered online.
Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University.
In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition,
88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Part Time: 3,173
Full Time: 1,944
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate69Bachelor's801Master's313Doctoral17
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate13Bachelor's106Master's31Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's157Master's128Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's163Master's10Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's44Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's31Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's10Doctoral6
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's50Master's49Doctoral0
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A
Accredited
Yes
Pacifica Graduate Institute is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and no
programs completed were offered online.
Master's degrees are the most popular at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
In 2023, 169 master's degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 55 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
224
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 169
Doctoral: 55
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's140Doctoral45
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's29Doctoral10
The Colleges of Law at Ventura
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A
Accredited
Yes
The Colleges of Law at Ventura is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and some
programs completed were offered online.
Doctoral degrees are the most popular at The Colleges of Law at Ventura.
In 2023, 36 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 23 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
59
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 23
Doctoral: 36
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
39%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's23Doctoral36
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$51,790
Accredited
Yes
Westmont College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and no
programs completed were offered online.
Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Westmont College.
In 2023, 379 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,284
Part Time: 12
Full Time: 1,272
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
379
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 379
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's60Master's0Doctoral0
EngineeringAssociate0Bachelor's9Master's0Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's7Master's0Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's42Master's0Doctoral0
English Language and Literature/LettersAssociate0Bachelor's13Master's0Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
HistoryAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's18Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's24Master's0Doctoral0
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and LinquisticsAssociate0Bachelor's6Master's0Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's43Master's0Doctoral0
Physical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Biological and Biomedical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's38Master's0Doctoral0
Mathematics and StatisticsAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's27Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's11Master's0Doctoral0
Philosophy and Religious StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's22Master's0Doctoral0
Fielding Graduate University
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A
Accredited
Yes
Fielding Graduate University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and all
programs completed were offered online.
Master's degrees are the most popular at Fielding Graduate University.
In 2023, 228 master's degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 91 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
319
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 228
Doctoral: 91
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's75Doctoral11
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's40Doctoral10
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's95Doctoral55
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's18Doctoral15
Antioch University-Santa Barbara
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$19,560
Accredited
Yes
Antioch University-Santa Barbara is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no
programs completed were offered online.
Master's degrees are the most popular at Antioch University-Santa Barbara.
In 2023, 84 master's degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 27 bachelor's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
60
Part Time: 35
Full Time: 25
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
117
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 27
Master's: 84
Doctoral: 6
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's78Doctoral6
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
English Language and Literature/LettersAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's6Doctoral0
The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A
Accredited
Yes
The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and no
programs completed were offered online.
Doctoral degrees are the most popular at The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara.
In 2023, 17 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
17
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 17
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral17
Public Colleges & Universities Near Santa Barbara, California
There is 1
four-year public college located near Santa Barbara, California. About 23,419 students
were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 7,951 degrees were completed at public colleges near Santa Barbara.
Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
University of California-Santa Barbara
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$14,965
Accredited
Yes
University of California-Santa Barbara is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend
classes full-time. Most of the students are of
traditional age and no
programs completed were offered online.
Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of California-Santa Barbara.
In 2023, 7,054 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition,
0 associate degrees, 541 master's degrees, and 356 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
23,419
Part Time: 625
Full Time: 22,794
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Completions By Degree
7,951
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 7,054
Master's: 541
Doctoral: 356
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's47Master's46Doctoral1
EngineeringAssociate0Bachelor's239Master's45Doctoral47
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's145Master's34Doctoral6
Natural Resources and ConservationAssociate0Bachelor's338Master's79Doctoral10
English Language and Literature/LettersAssociate0Bachelor's184Master's6Doctoral4
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's162Master's53Doctoral22
HistoryAssociate0Bachelor's159Master's2Doctoral7
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's382Master's23Doctoral19
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's620Master's11Doctoral9
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and LinquisticsAssociate0Bachelor's211Master's4Doctoral25
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's1912Master's30Doctoral36
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's122Master's5Doctoral3
Physical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's351Master's49Doctoral88
Biological and Biomedical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's741Master's16Doctoral21
Mathematics and StatisticsAssociate0Bachelor's662Master's21Doctoral10
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's650Master's16Doctoral22
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
Philosophy and Religious StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's128Master's5Doctoral13
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's192Doctoral26
Affordable Colleges Near Santa Barbara, California
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Santa Barbara, California? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at Santa Barbara-area's 4-year
nonprofit schools is $26,976. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools near Santa Barbara is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
Accredited
Colleges Serving Santa Barbara, California
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your
education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews
to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Santa Barbara, California is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Santa Barbara, California here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Nonprofit Colleges Serving Santa Barbara, California
- Franklin University
- The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara
- Fielding Graduate University
- The Colleges of Law at Ventura
- Westmont College
- Antioch University-Santa Barbara
Accredited Community Colleges Serving Santa Barbara, California
- Ventura College
- Santa Barbara City College
Accredited For-Profit Colleges Serving Santa Barbara, California
- Pacifica Graduate Institute
Santa Barbara, California Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Santa Barbara? What's the Santa Barbara, California job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2023, there were about 792,505 jobs in the Santa Barbara, California area. From 2022-2023, job growth in Santa Barbara was below the national average, at 0.8%. There were 102,149 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Santa Barbara do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $23.21.
% of Change (22-23)
+0.8%
National Avg: +2.5%
Median Earnings
$23.21/hr
National Avg: $20.6/hr
Find Degree Programs Near Santa Barbara, California