University of California-Santa Barbara
About University of California-Santa Barbara
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
UC Santa Barbara is a public research university on the coast near Santa Barbara, California. It is known for its physics, materials science, and engineering programs, and its beachside campus is one of the most scenic in the country.
Founded
1891
Location
Santa Barbara, California
Students
26,065
Institution
Public
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
33%
Selective
Graduation Rate
83%
Above national average
In-State Tuition
$16,414
Out-of-state: $50,614
Avg Net Price
$16,109
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not Considered
Test-blind. Grades and essays decide
Median Earnings
$74,915
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
33 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Blind
Application Fee
$80
Early
N/A
Deadline
Nov 30
University of California-Santa Barbara is moderately selective at 33%. Meeting the academic requirements puts you in a good position to be admitted.
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
83% complete their degree within six years
Retention
93%
4-Year Grad
70%
6-Year Grad
85%
Teaching Quality
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
89.9%
$/Student
$17.1K
Class Size
Medium
70% of students graduate on time, and 89.9% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$16,414
In-State
$50,614
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$20,279
Books & Supplies
$1,381
Total Cost of Attendance
$41,573
After Financial Aid
$16,109
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,231
Receive Grants
27.9%
Take Loans
18.1%
The full cost of attendance is about $41,573/yr for in-state students, including $20,279 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $16,109. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $50,614.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at University of California-Santa Barbara fund their education.
While in School
27.9%
Get Grants
Free money
18.1%
Take Loans
Must repay
$36,166
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$13,993
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$148/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $13,993, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends University of California-Santa Barbara.
Gender
57.6%
Female
42%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
23,113
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
2,952
Graduates
42.4%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
2.2%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 58% of the student body. 42.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 8.8% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
23,113
Students
public
Institution
Large
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Beachfront campus on the Pacific Ocean
- +Isla Vista is a unique, student-run community
- +Laid-back California culture with strong academics
- +Bike-friendly and walkable campus
Cons
- -Isla Vista party culture can be distracting
- -Isolated location far from major cities
- -Housing in the area is expensive and scarce
- -Some impacted majors are hard to get into
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
University of California-Santa Barbara fields 12 varsity teams with 579 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I without football
Conference
Big West
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track and Field (Outdoor)
Student Athletes
579
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
51% / 49%
294
Men
285
Women
10
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of University of California-Santa Barbaraearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$74,915
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Economics
$66K
696 grads
1yr Earnings
Sociology
$34K
692 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
$34K
650 grads
1yr Earnings
Communication and Media Studies
$47K
620 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$33K
391 grads
1yr Earnings
Statistics
$55K
355 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $57K at six years, $52K at eight, and $75K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University of California-Santa Barbara
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?▾
How much does University of California-Santa Barbara cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?▾
How much do University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.