Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Aptos, California
Cabrillo College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$23,625Annual Cost
$44,114Grad Salary
22.4%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$13,328
Need-Based Aid
22.4% receive Pell
Cabrillo College is a public institution in California recognized for its high transfer rates to major universities and its robust vocational programs. Located in a vibrant community, the college provides students with an engaging educational experience characterized by high-quality faculty instruction and diverse learning opportunities. It excels in preparing students for competitive bachelor's degree programs while also offering specialized career training in fields like digital arts, engineering, and nursing. With a focus on inclusive education and comprehensive student support services, Cabrillo College offers a strong foundation for students who are dedicated to their long-term academic and professional success.
Cabrillo College Acceptance Rate
Cabrillo College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Cabrillo College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Cabrillo College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Cabrillo College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 2, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Cabrillo College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Cabrillo College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Cabrillo College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Cabrillo College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Cabrillo College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Cabrillo College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Cabrillo College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Open admission ? open registration - chase your priority date
Cabrillo accepts everyone, but your ability to actually get into the classes you need (especially transfer-required English/math) is governed by Registration Ranking, not admission. Complete placement, the orientation eForm, and course planning before the posted due date each term, and declare a major by 15 units, to land in an earlier priority group. Skip these steps and you'll be pushed into Open Registration weeks later, after popular sections are full - a real delay risk, not a formality.
Know the 100-Unit Rule before you over-enroll
Once you complete 100+ degree-applicable units at Cabrillo, you lose priority registration ranking entirely (with an exception for designated high-unit majors) - even if you're in perfect academic standing. If your transfer plan is taking longer than expected, talk to a counselor before crossing 100 units so you're not suddenly stuck in Open Registration during your final transfer-prep semesters.
Use the Honors Transfer Program as your TAG fast-track
Cabrillo's Honors Transfer Program application window runs mid-January to mid-March for fall admission and is your direct path to Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) acceptance at UC Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, or Santa Cruz. A letter of recommendation is only required if your weighted GPA is below 3.5 - strong-GPA students can skip that step entirely and submit just transcripts and the application.
Build your UC TAP profile from day one, not transfer year
Use the UC Transfer Admission Planner to log every completed and planned course from your very first semester - TAG eligibility and UC GE coursework requirements are evaluated cumulatively, and trying to reconstruct your course history in your TAG application semester (the fall before transfer) wastes time you don't have against the same-October application opening.
Expert Insight:
The recurring mistake at Cabrillo is treating "everyone is accepted" as the whole story and skipping orientation/placement/planning, not realizing this silently pushes a student's registration date back - by the time they try to register, required transfer-pathway courses (English, math, lab sciences) are already full, adding a semester or more to their transfer timeline.
Cabrillo College Profile
Full Name
Cabrillo College
City
Aptos
State
California
ZIP Code
95003
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
Is a Cabrillo College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Cabrillo College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Cabrillo College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Cabrillo College is $70,500 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.53%.
How much does a degree from Cabrillo College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Cabrillo College is $23,625. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Cabrillo College is $13,328.
22.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 1.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Cabrillo College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Cabrillo College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Cabrillo College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Cabrillo College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $44,114. An average Cabrillo College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Cabrillo College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabrillo College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $44,114 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $23,625 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
22.4% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The scholarship priority deadline is March 2, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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