- 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 9,457 students (31% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 32:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 9,457 students
- In-state tuition: $1,358
- Out-state tuition: $5,698
- Student-teacher ratio: 32:1
- Minority enrollment: 59%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Cabrillo College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 298 teachers has declined by 49% over five years.
Cabrillo College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1959
Colors
White, Black, Sky Blue
Total Faculty
298 staff
72 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Cabrillo College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 32:1 has increased from 19:1 over five years.
The Cabrillo College diversity score of 0.62 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
9,457 students
2,140 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
32:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
2,915 students
1,022 students
# Part-Time Students
6,542 students
5,816 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
9,457 students
2,055 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,915 students
967 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
6,542 students
5,816 students
% Asian
3%
12%
% Hispanic
46%
46%
% Black
1%
7%
% White
41%
23%
% Two or more races
6%
5%
% Unknown races
1%
6%
Diversity Score
0.62
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
33%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$40,500
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,358 is more than the state average of $1,236. 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 $6,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 33% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,358
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,698
$6,577
Tuition Notes
$1,200 per semester
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
86%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$13,665
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,000
$6,272
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- School Mascot: Sammy The Seahawk
- 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.
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![Cabrillo College - Virtual Walking Tour [4k 60fps]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uvxO9ftjlmI/0.jpg "Walking around Cabrillo College in summer time, one of the largest public community college located in the Monterey Bay, California.
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Brief intro of Cabrillo College:
Cabrillo College is a public community college in Aptos, California. It is named after the conquistador Juan RodrÃguez Cabrillo and opened in 1959. Cabrillo College has an enrollment of about 9,700 students per term.
Many Cabrillo College students transfer (after 3–5 years) to three nearby universities: the University of California at Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, and California State University at Monterey Bay. Cabrillo ranked first in transfers to UC Santa Cruz according to Chancellor George Blumenthal in his address to the Cabrillo College Governing Board in November 2007 and as of 2020 was one of the top community college feeders to UCSC.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrillo_College
Cabrillo College website: https://www.cabrillo.edu/
#CabrilloCollege #Cabrillo #Aptos #California #CampusTour #VirtualWalkingTour")
