University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA
PublicSuburbanHSIWebsite
Acceptance Rate
28%
Enrollment
23,205
Graduation Rate
85%
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$74,915
Retention Rate
92%

Admissions

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Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,965
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,742
Avg Net Price
$13,825
Room & Board
$18,684
Total COA
$36,776
Median Debt
$13,993

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30,000
$7,745
$30,001–48,000
$8,910
$48,001–75,000
$11,398
$75,001–110,000
$16,839
$110,001+
$30,085
Pell Grant Rate: 28%
Federal Loan Rate: 20%

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Net Price Estimator

Estimate your actual cost after financial aid based on family income. Residency affects tuition at public universities.

Sticker Price$64,426
Estimated Net Price$13,825 (avg)

This is a rough estimate based on published IPEDS data. Actual aid depends on your full financial profile, merit scholarships, and institutional policies.

University of California-Santa Barbara's Official Net Price Calculator

Outcomes

Graduation Rate
85%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$74,915
Retention Rate
92%
Median Debt
$13,993

Top Programs

Social Sciences
26.8%
Biology
11.0%
Psychology
9.8%
Mathematics & Statistics
9.3%
Communication
8.6%
Visual & Performing Arts
5.3%
Physical Sciences
5.2%
Natural Resources
4.9%
Engineering
3.6%
English
2.7%

Top Majors

MajorGraduatesEarnings (4yr)
Sociology713$50,703
Economics703$88,311
Research and Experimental Psychology579$53,297
Communication and Media Studies517$61,114
Biology, General368$57,735
International/Global Studies366$52,229
Natural Resources Conservation and Research358$57,262
Political Science and Government297$62,470
Statistics211$81,375
English Language and Literature, General200$46,505
Mathematics198$64,574
History174$47,117
Anthropology173$48,435
Physics161$88,722
Film/Video and Photographic Arts159$47,214

Demographics

Men 43%Women 57%
White
31.7%
Black
2.0%
Hispanic
26.0%
Asian
18.7%
Two or More
8.8%
International
9.8%

Application Info

Deadlines

ED2025-11-01
EA2025-11-01
RD2026-01-01
0 required essays, 8 optional
Optional350 words

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Optional350 words

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Optional350 words

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Optional350 words

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Optional350 words

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Optional350 words

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Optional350 words

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Optional350 words

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?

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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last updated January 2026.