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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.
University of California, Santa Barbara is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Santa Barbara, CA. This school follows a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 32%. The freshman retention rate at University of California, Santa Barbara is 93.26% and the six-year graduation rate is 83%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school 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
23,181
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. What are the admission requirements for University of California, Santa Barbara?
In 2025, the school accepted 36,347 new students.
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
Be sure to apply to this school by November 30.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for University of California, Santa Barbara was 93.26% in 2025, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of California, Santa Barbara in 2025 was 26,133.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 23,181, 1990 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 2,109.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 10,809 male and 14,187 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 4,546 Asian students and 403 Afro-American students in 2025. 6,447 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,829 identified with more than one race. The school also had 13 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 25 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 648 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for University of California, Santa Barbara is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $12,800. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $46,650. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $46,650, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $3,235 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $46,650 | $3,235 | $49,885 |
| In-State | $12,800 | $3,235 | $16,035 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,484.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At University of California, Santa Barbara, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $21,975.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 12,800 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,975 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,484 |
| Total Expense | $ 36,259 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid available at University of California, Santa Barbara.
According to the most recent data, 2,301 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $29,530 in financial help.
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.
10,309 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 10,599. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $51,656,324, and state $114,187,652. The students of University of California, Santa Barbara received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $115,010,586, and external in the amount of $2,612,549.
$10,670
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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
502 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 136 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $51,656,324 while the state aid is $4,801,259. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $11,346,483. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,886,043 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
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
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. According to the most recent information, there are 1,242 teachers at this school. This number included 689 male and 553 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of California, Santa Barbara is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Its campus spans 1,055 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
That includes sororities and fraternities. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest in 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 pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs 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
This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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University of California, Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of California, Santa Barbara is 32%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of California, Santa Barbara is 93.26%.
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.
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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.
