University of California-Santa Barbara Overview

University of California-Santa Barbara is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Santa Barbara, CA. It has an enrollment of 23,081 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 29.18%.

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,458. Tuition is $14,417.00 without financial aid.

University of California-Santa Barbara is a predominantly bachelor’s-degree granting school.

At University of California-Santa Barbara, 91.19% of students return after freshman year (national average: 68%).

University of California-Santa Barbara has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

University of California-Santa Barbara Website

University of California-Santa Barbara Admissions

For the incoming class in 2023, the acceptance rate was 29.18%.

SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor recommended

• The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023.
• The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

University of California-Santa Barbara Cost

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,458. The in-state tuition is $14,417.00. Out-of-state tuition is $44,171.00

The average tuition is:

• $11,022, when family income is less than $30,000

• $12,305, when family income is between $30,001 and $48,000 

• $14,720, when family income is between $48,001 and $75,000

• $20,565, when family income is between $75,001 and $110,000

• $30,833, when family income is more than $110,000 

The average tuition shown here is based on the NET costs to students who receive financial aid. For the incoming class of 2023, 16.80% of students received a federal student loan and 32.00% of students received a Pell Grant.

Tuition is $44,171.00 without financial aid, or the in-state tuition discount.

University of California-Santa Barbara Net Price Calculator

University of California-Santa Barbara Majors/Salaries

University of California-Santa Barbara has academic offerings within the core majors listed below.  

Please note that different schools classify majors differently, so it is best to view the school’s website to see the various programs it offers. See detailed information about the individual majors at University of California-Santa Barbara here.

Recent Graduate Salaries

(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

• Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
• Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Master’s Degree) – $57,860
• Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
• Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
• Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,889
• Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $81,554
• Education, General. (Doctoral Degree) – $63,997
• Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,485
• Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,773
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,134
• Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,452
• Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,988
• Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
• English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
• Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,565
• Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,508
• Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
• Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
• Zoology/Animal Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,687
• Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,312
• Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,835
• Applied Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,536
• Statistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,650
• International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,660
• Philosophy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,314
• Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,620
• Chemistry. (Doctoral Degree) – $94,408
• Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
• Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
• Physics. (Doctoral Degree) – $95,688
• Research and Experimental Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,899
• Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,639
• Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,790
• Geography and Cartography. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
• Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,859
• Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,719
• Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,508
• Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,064
• Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,048
• Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
• Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $69,338
• History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,891

University of California-Santa Barbara Diversity

The racial diversity of students who received financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara

• American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.10%
• Asian: 18.37%
• Black: 1.77%
• Hispanic: 25.41%
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.11%
• Non-resident alien: 10.97%
• Two or more races: 8.72%
• Unknown: 2.68%
• White: 31.86%

At University of California-Santa Barbara, 2.50% of undergraduate students are 25 years old, or older.

University of California-Santa Barbara Frequently Asked Questions

How is school spirit at University of California-Santa Barbara?

The University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) has a vibrant school spirit culture. The students at UCSB have a lot of pride in their university, and you will see many of them sporting UCSB gear around campus. The university’s athletic teams, known as the Gauchos, have a passionate following, and you’ll find a strong showing of school spirit at athletic events. UCSB also has many student organizations and clubs that promote school spirit and provide opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Additionally, the university hosts events throughout the year, such as homecoming, where school spirit is on full display.

What are some popular extracurriculars at University of California-Santa Barbara?

UC Santa Barbara offers over 300 registered student organizations, so there’s a lot to choose from! Some of the most popular extracurricular activities at UC Santa Barbara include: 1. Intramural and club sports 2. Student government and political organizations 3. Cultural clubs celebrating different ethnicities and countries 4. Volunteer and community service organizations 5. Performance groups such as theater, music, and dance groups 6. Academic and professional organizations related to majors or career goals 7. Outdoor and adventure clubs such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. These are just a few examples, but there are many more extracurricular opportunities to explore at UC Santa Barbara.

How are the food choices at University of California-Santa Barbara?

The University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) offers a wide variety of food options to its students. There are multiple dining halls, cafes, and restaurants on campus that provide options ranging from traditional American fare to international cuisine. In addition to the standard dining options, UCSB also has several programs that cater to specific dietary needs, such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Overall, students at UCSB have access to a diverse and satisfying dining experience.

Is there Greek life at University of California-Santa Barbara?

Yes, the University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) has a robust Greek life community that includes more than 50 fraternities and sororities. About 1 in 4 UCSB students participates in Greek life, and these organizations are active in fundraising, volunteering, social events, and leadership development. The Greek community at UCSB has a strong presence on campus and is an integral part of student life.

What is University of California-Santa Barbara known for?

The University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) is known for its strong research programs and for being one of the top public universities in the United States. Specifically, UCSB is known for its strengths in engineering, computer science, physics, and chemistry. Additionally, UCSB is known for its beautiful campus, which is located on the coast of Southern California and includes a number of unique research facilities. The university is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and environmentalism.

What are the most popular school clubs at University of California-Santa Barbara?

There are many popular school clubs at the University of California-Santa Barbara, but some of the most popular include: 1. Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) 2. Greek Life organizations 3. Club Sports teams 4. Environmental groups such as the Coastal Fund and Students for Sustainability 5. Cultural clubs such as Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, Black Student Union, and Hillel 6. Service organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Circle K International 7. Academic and professional clubs such as the Economics Club and Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Is the campus at University of California-Santa Barbara safe?

Yes, the University of California-Santa Barbara is generally considered a safe campus. The university has its own police department, which works closely with local law enforcement agencies to provide a safe and secure environment for students and staff. However, like any large college campus, students should always take precautions to ensure their own safety, such as being aware of their surroundings at all times, using campus safety resources when necessary, and avoiding walking alone at night in less-populated areas of the campus.