Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a renowned public research university located in Santa Barbara, California. Established in 1909, UCSB is part of the prestigious University of California system and is well-known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and vibrant community.
UCSB offers an extensive range of academic programs through its five schools: the College of Creative Studies, the College of Engineering, the College of Letters and Science, the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. The university is particularly esteemed for its programs in engineering, computer science, economics, psychology, and environmental studies. The faculty members at UCSB are highly regarded in their respective fields, and students benefit from their expertise, mentorship, and dedication to teaching.
Along with its academic excellence, UCSB boasts a stunning coastal campus that spans over 1,000 acres. The university features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern research labs, libraries, and performance spaces. The campus is home to numerous research centers and institutes, fostering a vibrant culture of innovation and scholarly pursuits. Outside of academics, UCSB offers a dynamic social scene, providing students with a range of extracurricular activities, cultural events, clubs, and sports teams. The surrounding city of Santa Barbara offers a beautiful beachfront setting, a vibrant arts scene, and a variety of recreational opportunities.
In conclusion, the University of California, Santa Barbara offers a world-class education in a stunning coastal location. With its diverse range of academic programs, dedicated faculty, and beautiful campus, UCSB is a top choice for students from around the world. Whether students are pursuing a degree in engineering, humanities, environmental science, or any other field, they can expect an enriching and fulfilling educational experience at UCSB.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA and set in a suburban environment, University of California, Santa Barbara is a public university. This school uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 27%. The freshman retention rate at University of California, Santa Barbara is 92% and the six-year graduation rate is 86%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is November 30. The transfer application deadline is November 30.
To find out more about what University of California, Santa Barbara has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
23,232
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
27%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
86%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. What are the admission requirements for University of California, Santa Barbara?
In 2024, the school accepted 30,805 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4.3. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of California, Santa Barbara.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to University of California, Santa Barbara is November 30. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is November 30.
27%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of California, Santa Barbara was 92% in 2024, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 86%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 26,068 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 8.8% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 23,232, 2266 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 1,899 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 10,980 male and 14,141 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 1,385 full-time graduate male and 1,575 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 4,694, while the number of Afro-American students was 420. 6,186 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,721 as multirace. The school also had 17 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 31 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 567 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of California, Santa Barbara estimated tuition fees.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $14,436 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $48,636 in 2024. Tuition costs at University of California, Santa Barbara for international students stood at $48,636. Full-time students in 2024 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,971.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $48,636 | $1,971 | $50,607 |
| In-State | $14,436 | $1,971 | $16,407 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to allocate about $1,381 for books and supplies during their time at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of California, Santa Barbara was $19,947 in 2024.
| Tuition | $ 14,436 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,947 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,381 |
| Total Expense | $ 35,764 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at University of California, Santa Barbara.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,433 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $26,293.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
10,251 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of California, Santa Barbara is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 10,893. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $41,457,852, and state $103,219,293. The students of University of California, Santa Barbara received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $102,960,586, and external in the amount of $2,702,217.
$8,975
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 338 students overall (including freshmen) at University of California, Santa Barbara in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 123 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $41,457,852 while the state aid is $4,772,074. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $7,294,996. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,594,988 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of California, Santa Barbara was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,267. Out of that number, there were 727 men and 540 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of California, Santa Barbara: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Its campus is 989 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
This number includes sororities and fraternities. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. You have a passion for media and communication? University of California, Santa Barbara publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of California, Santa Barbara, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Women's Center are available to the students of University of California, Santa Barbara.
All in all, campus life at University of California, Santa Barbara is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Career Counselling
At University of California, Santa Barbara, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of California, Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
-
University of California, Santa Barbara offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of California, Santa Barbara is 27%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of California, Santa Barbara is 92%.
Contact Information
University of California-Santa Barbara,
1210 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA
93106-2014
805 893-8000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.