Colleges in Santa Maria, California
3 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 3 colleges and universities in Santa Maria, California (1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 3 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $5,446 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 63.2%.
The median net price in Santa Maria runs about $15,265 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Santa Maria, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$5,446
After aid
Median grad rate
63.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
Not available
Median enrollment
142
Undergrad
All colleges in Santa Maria
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $5,383 | 26.3% | Not available | 8,052 | Partial | |
| CET-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, <2-year | $5,446 | 77.3% | Not available | 142 | Partial | |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $26,983 | 63.2% | Not available | 114 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in Santa Maria are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Allan Hancock CollegeNet price: $5,383Grad: 26.3%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Santa Maria are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- CET-Santa MariaNet price: $5,446Grad: 77.3%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Santa Maria operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- San Joaquin Valley College-Santa MariaNet price: $26,983Grad: 63.2%
Top programs in Santa Maria
Most-completed programs across Santa Maria colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts38.5% of degrees
- Health professions12.0% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary8.5% of degrees
- Computer science7.9% of degrees
- Business6.7% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement5.5% of degrees
- Psychology2.3% of degrees
- Mathematics1.7% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Santa Maria
Q.How many colleges are in Santa Maria, California?
There are 3 colleges and universities in Santa Maria, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Santa Maria?
By undergraduate enrollment, Allan Hancock College is the largest institution in Santa Maria with roughly 8,052 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Santa Maria?
Based on average net price after aid, Allan Hancock College is the most affordable institution in Santa Maria at $5,383 per year.
Q.Which Santa Maria college has the highest graduation rate?
CET-Santa Maria reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Santa Maria institutions at 77.3%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Santa Maria?
The median net price across all 3 colleges in Santa Maria is $5,446 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Santa Maria?
Across Santa Maria colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Interdisciplinary.
Q.Are there community colleges in Santa Maria?
Yes — Santa Maria includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Santa Maria that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.