Overview
Santa Barbara, CA With its campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB provides a unique living and learning environment. UC Santa Barbara is known for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the humanities, as well as its beautiful coastal campus. The university is also recognized for its research in environmental science and marine biology.
There are currently 23,419 undergraduates at UC Santa Barbara and the school’s acceptance rate is 26%. The tuition at UC Santa Barbara is $14,617 for in-state students and $44,689 for out-of-state.
University
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$37,902
$52,492
$15,482
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$37,902for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$67,974for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since UC Santa Barbara is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at UC Santa Barbara is $37,902 for in-state students in CA, and $67,974 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at UC Santa Barbara would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
University of California-Santa Barbara Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of California-Santa Barbara is 001320.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at UC Santa Barbara
If you reside in California and are considering UC Santa Barbara, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
No Loan Policy at UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check UC Santa Barbara's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
UC Santa Barbara is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at UC Santa Barbara. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at University of California-Santa Barbara
27% of students at University of California-Santa Barbara receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of California-Santa Barbara.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
UC Santa Barbara students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
26%
Is UC Santa Barbara test-optional?
University of California-Santa Barbara is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at UC Santa Barbara?
Students must apply by November 30 to enroll at UC Santa Barbara during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
86%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
26%
26% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Psychology
10%
10% of graduates
Mathematics
9%
9% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
8%
8% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
4%
4% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
23,419
Pell Grant 30%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%
Undergrad Students Over 25 3%
Percent Male / Female 44% / 56%
Ethnic Diversity at UC Santa Barbara
31% White
25% Hispanic
19% Asian / Pacific Islander
12% International / Non-Citizen
9% Multiracial
3% Unknown
2% Black
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$74,915
Median Debt $13,993
Debt 10 years after graduation $148
Graduation Rate 86%
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?
86% of students who start at University of California-Santa Barbara end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 28% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of California-Santa Barbara go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of California-Santa Barbara, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $74,915. This is $24,524 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at UC Santa Barbara take out in loans?
Graduates of UC Santa Barbara have to take out a median of $13,993 in federal student loans. This is $493 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.