University of California-Santa Barbara
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $62,400 within 10 years; strong 85% graduation rate.
About This School
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California with approximately 23,205 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 28% of applicants. In-state tuition is $14,965 per year. The graduation rate is 85%, and the typical graduate earns $62,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of California, Santa Barbara is a public land-grant research university in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Tracing its roots back to 1891 as an independent teachers college, UC Santa Barbara joined the University of California system in 1944. It is the third-oldest campus in the system, after Berkeley and UCLA.
This is a strong option for students who want a serious research university with a laid-back coastal setting — a 92% freshman retention rate and 85% graduation rate signal that students are generally happy and finishing what they started. The financial picture is genuinely encouraging: median debt at graduation is just $13,993, and median earnings of $62,400 a decade out make that a manageable return on investment. The 28% acceptance rate means it's selective but not a long shot for well-prepared applicants, though students drawn to big-city energy or tight-knit small campuses may find the size and location a poor fit.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (23,205 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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