Health and Medical Administrative Services at Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College's healthcare administration program delivers something rare: associate degree graduates earning 77% more than the California median for this field. At $48,712 one year out, these graduates substantially outpace even private colleges like DeVry ($37,750) and land in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide—a signal that the program's employer connections in Santa Barbara's healthcare market are exceptionally strong.

The debt picture enhances the value proposition. While the $23,505 median sits near national norms, graduates earn enough that the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to manageable repayment. For context, a typical graduate making $48,712 would pay roughly 10% of gross income toward loans under standard repayment—reasonable for someone entering healthcare administration with immediate earning potential. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent but not massive program enrollment, which may contribute to quality outcomes.

This is the rare community college program that genuinely competes with—and beats—private competitors on outcomes. For families evaluating healthcare administration options in California, SBCC offers top-tier results at community college pricing, making it an obvious choice for students serious about this career path who can access the Santa Barbara campus.