University of California-Santa Barbara

Public
Santa BarbaraCA
Suburb

Estimated Net Cost

(per year)
$16k

Estimated Post Grad Salary

(per year)
$61k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
The University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university located in Santa Barbara, California, founded in 1944. Known for its strong research programs and beautiful seaside campus, it is recognized for its environmental studies and marine science programs. Its campus is situated along the coast, offering students stunning ocean views and a relaxed beachside atmosphere.

Pros

  • Beautiful coastal campus

  • Strong research programs

  • Vibrant student life

  • Diverse academic offerings

Cons

  • High cost of living

  • Large campus can feel isolating

  • Limited parking

  • Competitive admission process

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at University of California-Santa Barbara: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at University of California-Santa Barbara. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at University of California-Santa Barbara: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at University of California-Santa Barbara. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
$14,965$59,860
Room and Board
$18,684$74,736
Books and Supplies
$1,482$5,928
Other expenses
$5,456$24,304
Sticker Price$40,587$164,828

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $586 per year over the next three years, reaching $15,551 in 2024, and $16,137 in 2025, and $16,723 in 2026.

Return On Education

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

955
University of California-Santa Barbara stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

Admissions

University of California-Santa Barbara admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 26%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
Admission Rate
26%
Graduation Rate
86%

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range
-
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application Deadline
See college website
Early Decision Date
See college website
Early Action Date
See college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
Sciences20 programs
Computer Science
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
Master's Degree
Computer Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Cellular Biology
Bachelor's Degree
Cellular Biology
Master's Degree
Cellular Biology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Microbiology
Bachelor's Degree
Zoology
Bachelor's Degree
Pathology & Physiology
Bachelor's Degree
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Bachelor's Degree
Neuroscience
Doctoral Degree – Research
Geology
Bachelor's Degree
Geology
Master's Degree
Geology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Materials Science
Master's Degree
Materials Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Psychology
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology
Master's Degree
Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Communication Disorders
Bachelor's Degree
Interdisciplinary5 programs
Area Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Area Studies
Master's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Bachelor's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Master's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Doctoral Degree – Research
Natural Resources3 programs
Natural Resources Conservation
Bachelor's Degree
Natural Resources Conservation
Doctoral Degree – Research
Engineering10 programs
Chemical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Chemical Engineering
Master's Degree
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Computer Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering
Master's Degree
Electrical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
Master's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
History7 programs
Medieval & Renaissance Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Geography
Bachelor's Degree
Geography
Master's Degree
Geography
Doctoral Degree – Research
History
Bachelor's Degree
History
Master's Degree
History
Doctoral Degree – Research
Humanities6 programs
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Master's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
International Studies
Bachelor's Degree
International Studies
Master's Degree
International Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
Communications3 programs
Communication & Media Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Communication & Media Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
Linguistics18 programs
Broadcasting
Master's Degree
Broadcasting
Doctoral Degree – Research
Language Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Language Studies
Master's Degree
Language Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
East Asian Languages
Bachelor's Degree
East Asian Languages
Doctoral Degree – Research
Slavic Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Germanic Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Germanic Languages
Master's Degree
Germanic Languages
Doctoral Degree – Research
Romance Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Romance Languages
Master's Degree
Romance Languages
Doctoral Degree – Research
Classical Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Classical Languages
Master's Degree
Classical Languages
Doctoral Degree – Research
Other Languages
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education4 programs
Education General
Master's Degree
Education General
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education General
Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Administration
Doctoral Degree – Research
Legal StudiesBachelor's Degree
English3 programs
English Language & Literature
Bachelor's Degree
English Language & Literature
Doctoral Degree – Research
Liberal Arts2 programs
Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Liberal Arts
Doctoral Degree – Other
Biology7 programs
Biology
Bachelor's Degree
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Ecology
Bachelor's Degree
Ecology
Master's Degree
Ecology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Mathematics10 programs
Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree
Mathematics
Master's Degree
Mathematics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Applied Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree
Applied Mathematics
Master's Degree
Statistics
Bachelor's Degree
Statistics
Master's Degree
Statistics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Management Science
Bachelor's Degree
Management Science
Master's Degree
Economics3 programs
Economics
Bachelor's Degree
Economics
Master's Degree
Economics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Philosophy3 programs
Philosophy
Bachelor's Degree
Philosophy
Master's Degree
Philosophy
Doctoral Degree – Research
Religion3 programs
Religious Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Religious Studies
Master's Degree
Religious Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
Chemistry3 programs
Chemistry
Bachelor's Degree
Chemistry
Master's Degree
Chemistry
Doctoral Degree – Research
Physics3 programs
Physics
Bachelor's Degree
Physics
Master's Degree
Physics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Psychology6 programs
Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's Degree
Experimental Psychology
Master's Degree
Experimental Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Other Psychology
Master's Degree
Other Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Other Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Government3 programs
Political Science
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
Master's Degree
Political Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Anthropology3 programs
Anthropology
Bachelor's Degree
Anthropology
Master's Degree
Anthropology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Sociology3 programs
Sociology
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology
Master's Degree
Sociology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Arts13 programs
Dance
Bachelor's Degree
Theatre
Bachelor's Degree
Theatre
Master's Degree
Theatre
Doctoral Degree – Research
Film & Photography
Bachelor's Degree
Film & Photography
Master's Degree
Film & Photography
Doctoral Degree – Research
Fine Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Fine Arts
Master's Degree
Fine Arts
Doctoral Degree – Research
Music
Bachelor's Degree
Music
Master's Degree
Music
Doctoral Degree – Research
Business EconomicsBachelor's Degree

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment5,043
Full-time Students5,014
Part-time Students29

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:17:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about University of California-Santa Barbara. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.5)
Niche
(3.9)
US News
(5.0)

Other Colleges

California Christian College

CA

Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences

CA

College of Alameda

CA
Want more information about this college?Request More Info