University of California-Santa Barbara
A good fit for students who want a large campus community and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $62,400 within 10 years; strong 83% graduation rate.
About This School
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California with approximately 23,113 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 33% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $16,109 per year. The graduation rate is 83%, 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.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
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 (23,113 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
University of California-Santa Barbara
5221 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, 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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