Santa Barbara is an attractive option for prospective college students with a beautiful location and easy living year-round. Both the University of California Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College have their advantages, and in this article, we’ll compare the two schools.
Comparing UCSB and SBCC
The Draw of SBCC
Situated on a plot of land that encompasses more than 70 acres, SBCC is a beautiful campus. Its sweeping views of the ocean and abundance of greenery make SBCC a peaceful place to study. Students often choose community college to save money, as this path allows you to pursue an associate’s degree or simply earn credits to transfer to a larger school. With the rising costs of traditional universities, taking the community college route can help you save money while taking the time to figure out the degree that is perfect for you. In fact, California community colleges have the lowest fees in the country.
More than just an opportunity to save money, community colleges like SBCC have several programs that can help you reach your professional goals faster, and at a reduced cost. In addition to providing transferable credits and associate degrees, SBCC offers certificates of achievement in everything from Advanced Culinary Arts to Technical Writing. These certificates of achievement can help kickstart a career in a certain field or help you enter the field of your choosing right away. Plus, classroom sizes at community colleges are often much smaller than they are at traditional universities. This means a more hands-on experience for students and a more intimate learning environment.
On top of the various programs and opportunities that SBCC offers for students who are looking to save money as they navigate the early stages of their secondary education, going to a community college can help open up doors from a personal standpoint. One extra stop along the way means one more opportunity to meet people. Networking can be just as important as the skills or certificates you pick up in college. Having a chance to attend two schools can be highly beneficial, especially when it comes to making professional contacts and landing internships.
The UCSB Experience
Few college campuses have the same stunning location and laid-back environment as UCSB. Located in Isla Vista, the UCSB campus is one of the more beautiful campuses in the country. With tons of local shops, cafes, and places to relax in the sun, Isla Vista is a paradise for college students. Nearby Goleta gives students an opportunity to explore even further, and the town is also filled with fun things to do and quiet places to study.
Recognized as a top-ten public university, UCSB offers an unparalleled combination of exceptional education and a high quality of life for students. With several beaches, parks, and green spaces all within walking distance from the campus, students have plenty of places to stretch out and study. The university welcomes transfer students and annually accepts many transfer students. Transferring credits can be a great way to save time and money, especially since so many of the early courses in college are introductory and not highly specialized.
While academics should factor heavily into your decision, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of UCSB as a party school. Just recently, UCSB was named California’s top party school. Its reputation as a party school can be felt as soon as you step on campus. So if lifestyle is a major factor for you in your decision-making, know that UCSB offers some of the best in the country.
Final Verdict When Comparing UCSB and SBCC
For a price comparison, check out each school’s cost of tuition and fees. Here is the breakdown for UCSB, and here is the breakdown for SBCC. Clearly, the community college route is the most economical approach. But both schools have their unique advantages. The choice is up to you.
Want a better look at what the UCSB campus looks like? Watch this video!
While you’re scoping out the two campuses, stay at our ITH Beach Hostel! We offer discounts for extended stays, and we also offer discounts for students. Inquire with our staff for more information.
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