Cabrillo College

6500 Soquel Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • The mission of Cabrillo College is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world.

School Highlights

Cabrillo College serves 9,792 students (33% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 9,792 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,358
  • Out-state tuition: $5,698
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 56%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Cabrillo College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 585 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Cabrillo College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
585 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Cabrillo College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Cabrillo College has declined by 11% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has decreased from 19:1 over five years.
The Cabrillo College diversity score of 0.59 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
9,792 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Cabrillo College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Cabrillo College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
3,201 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Cabrillo College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
6,591 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Cabrillo College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Cabrillo College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
653 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,201 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Cabrillo College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
6,591 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
3%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
45%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
1%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
44%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
5%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Cabrillo College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Cabrillo College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.59
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Cabrillo College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Cabrillo College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,500
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Cabrillo College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,358 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has grown by 7% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,698 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 18% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,358
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Cabrillo College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,698
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Cabrillo College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Cabrillo College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$13,665
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Cabrillo College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,000
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Cabrillo College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Cabrillo College is one of 109 public California community colleges. Situated on the Monterey Bay in the county of Santa Cruz, California, Cabrillo College is one of the most highly regarded community colleges in the state for its success in the area of transfer and career education and currently serves over 13,000 students. Classes are conveniently offered at several locations including the main campus in Aptos at 6500 Soquel Drive; the Cabrillo College Watsonville Center, located at 318 Union Street in downtown Watsonville; and at several locations in downtown Santa Cruz. Cabrillo's career education is closely connected to the nearby Silicon Valley business environment as well as that of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Cabrillo College offers a variety of programs that lead to Skills Certificates, Certificates of Proficiency, and A.S. Degrees. In addition, Cabrillo College offers basic skills courses and courses for business, professional and personal development. A variety of not-for-credit classes are available on a fee basis through the Community Education Department. Cabrillo focuses on student-centered learning and has a tradition of collegial governance. Currently, facility planning and major construction is under way on campus for a new Student Services Complex, Arts Education facilities and a Health Care Education Center. Cabrillo College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cabrillo College cost?
Cabrillo College's tuition is approximately $1,358 for In-State students and $5,698 for Out-State students.
What is Cabrillo College's ranking?
Cabrillo College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Least expensive tuition and Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation).

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 9,792 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,358
  • Out-state tuition: $5,698
  • Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
  • Minority enrollment: 56%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,993 per year for in-state students and $7,120 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $21,083 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 81%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in California is Berkeley City College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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