University of California Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public research university in Santa Barbara, California, with about 23,113 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 32.97% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $74,915 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,414
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,109 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 32.97% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 23,113 98.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 83.03%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 42.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 10.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 89.9%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,637
- Applicants (IPEDS): 110,871
- Room & Board: $20,279 annual estimate
University of California-Santa Barbara: what the data shows
Common questions about University of California-Santa Barbara, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of California-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (ZIP 93106).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara public or private?
University of California-Santa Barbara is a Public institution.
How much does University of California-Santa Barbara cost?
Published tuition: $16,414 in-state, $50,614 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $16,109.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,231 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,992 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,588 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,136 |
| $110,001+ | $31,863 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $65,656.
How hard is it to get into University of California-Santa Barbara?
Admission rate: 32.97%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of California-Santa Barbara?
Total enrollment: 23,113 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 24,637 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,952 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?
150%-time completion rate: 83.03%.
First-year retention: 93.0%.
What do graduates of University of California-Santa Barbara earn?
Median earnings: $56,852 six years after entry; $74,915 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $13,993.
27.85% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of California-Santa Barbara known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (729 completions)
- Sociology, General (661 completions)
- Communication and Media Studies (649 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (518 completions)
- Statistics, General (405 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (381 completions)
- Environmental Studies (352 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (337 completions)
- Computer Science (245 completions)
- Film/Cinema/Media Studies (218 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 32.97%; completion rate 83.03%; median earnings $74,915 at 10 years; net price $16,109. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$16,414
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara was $16,414.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,109
2024 Value
In 2024 University of California-Santa Barbara had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,109.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$64,436 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,109 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$65,656 4-Year In-State Tuition
$202,456 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$20,279 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,381 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$38,074 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$152,296 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of California-Santa Barbara.
Financial Aid by Income Level
27.85% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
18.11% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of California-Santa Barbara was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of California-Santa Barbara in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $13,746 | $36,624 | $14,142 |
| 2014 | $13,865 | $36,743 | $15,755 |
| 2015 | $13,968 | $38,676 | $14,748 |
| 2016 | $14,073 | $40,755 | $14,900 |
| 2017 | $14,451 | $42,465 | $15,801 |
| 2018 | $14,391 | $43,383 | $16,236 |
| 2019 | $14,391 | $44,145 | $15,884 |
| 2020 | $14,406 | $44,160 | $16,252 |
| 2021 | $14,417 | $44,171 | $15,458 |
| 2022 | $14,617 | $44,689 | $15,482 |
| 2023 | $14,965 | $45,742 | $13,825 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
32.97% Acceptance Rate
110,871 Total Applicants
30,804 Students Admitted
5,043 First-Time Students Enrolled
16.37% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of California-Santa Barbara reported total enrollment of about 23,113 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (31.8%), Hispanic or Latino (27.2%), and Asian (17.9%). About 27.85% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 42.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of California-Santa Barbara in 2024 is 23,113 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 24,637 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,952 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
93.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 31.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
70.00% 100% Completion Time
83.03% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 70.00% of students graduating from University of California-Santa Barbara completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 62% male / 38% female
- Sociology, General: 27% male / 73% female
- Communication and Media Studies: 30% male / 70% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of California-Santa Barbara.
Return on Investment
$13,993 Median Student Debt
$74,915 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
18.68% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1062.63% Return on Investment
1.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of California-Santa Barbara.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 82 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 729 completions
2. Sociology, General: 661 completions
3. Communication and Media Studies: 649 completions
4. Experimental Psychology: 518 completions
5. Statistics, General: 405 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 381 completions
7. Environmental Studies: 352 completions
8. Political Science and Government, General: 337 completions
9. Computer Science: 245 completions
Most popular programs at University of California-Santa Barbara.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of California-Santa Barbara graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of California-Santa Barbara from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 89.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $20,677
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $17,118
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, CA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Sociology, General, Communication and Media Studies. Enrollment is approximately 23,113 students. Student body composition includes White (31.8%), Hispanic or Latino (27.2%), Asian (17.9%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 32.97%. The 150%-time completion rate is 83.03%. Approximately 27.85% of students receive Pell Grants. About 42.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 83.03% graduation rate, University of California-Santa Barbara demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 82 distinct degree programs, University of California-Santa Barbara provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of California-Santa Barbara located?
University of California-Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
What is University of California-Santa Barbara's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Barbara is 33.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 110,871 applicants and 30,804 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of California-Santa Barbara cost?
Reported tuition is $16,414 and average net price is $16,109 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $20,279 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of California-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara reports undergraduate enrollment of about 24,637 students, White (31.8%), Hispanic or Latino (27.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of California-Santa Barbara?
About 42.4% of students at University of California-Santa Barbara are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of University of California-Santa Barbara earn?
Median earnings are $56,852 six years after entry and $74,915 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?
The 150%-time completion rate is 83.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of California-Santa Barbara students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $13,993.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara public or private?
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, CA.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara an HBCU?
No. University of California-Santa Barbara is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara a tribal college?
No. University of California-Santa Barbara is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—University of California-Santa Barbara reports 27.2% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Santa Barbara, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.