Back to schools
University of California-Santa Barbara logo
Public University

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

Official Website
Median Earnings
$74,915
10 years after enrollment
Grad Rate
84.3%
6-year completion
Students
23,113
Undergraduate enrollment
Admit Rate
33.0%
Acceptance rate

Annual Cost Breakdown

Full Sticker Price

$41,573/yr

Tuition + fees + room + board + books. What you pay with no financial aid.

Avg After Grants

$16,109/yr

What students who received federal/institutional grants actually paid on average. Varies by family income.

Tuition Only

In-state: $16,414

Out-of-state: $50,614

Tuition only — does not include room, board, or fees.

💡 The “Avg After Grants” is an average across all students who received aid — your actual cost depends on your family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants — by income bracket. Source: U.S. Dept of Education, AY 2022–23.

Under $30k/yr income$9,231/yr
$30k–$48k/yr income$9,992/yr
$48k–$75k/yr income$12,588/yr
$75k–$110k/yr income
Over $110k/yr income$31,863/yr

These are averages for aid recipients. Your exact cost depends on your specific FAFSA results. Estimate yours on studentaid.gov →

Admissions & Outcomes

Acceptance Rate
33.0%
1-Year Retention
93.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
27.9%
First-Generation Students
42.4%
In-State Tuition
$16,414/yr
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,614/yr

Acceptance Rate

33.0%

Moderately selective — competitive applicant pool.

Top Programs

Click 📋 to find the curriculum for each major

Computer Science
Engineering
Biology / Life Sci
Psychology

% of bachelor's degrees awarded in each field

How does this school fit you?

Score it against your family's priorities.

Get My Fit Score →
Loading program earnings…

Program Rankings

Official program-level rankings (US News, QS, Forbes) are not available through a free public API. The Earnings by Major section below is the best free proxy — it shows real median salaries 2 years after graduation for each program at this school, sourced directly from federal earnings data.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of California-Santa Barbara

How much does University of California-Santa Barbara cost?

The average net price at University of California-Santa Barbara after grants and scholarships is $16,109 per year. The full sticker price before aid is $41,573/yr. Your actual cost depends on your family income — use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?

The 6-year graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara is 84.3%. The 1-year retention rate is 93.0%. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?

The acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Barbara is 33.0%. Moderately selective — competitive applicant pool.

What do University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn?

The median earnings of students who attended University of California-Santa Barbara 10 years after enrollment is $74,915. Earnings vary significantly by major — see the Earnings by Major section above for program-specific data. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of California-Santa Barbara a good school?

Whether University of California-Santa Barbara is the right fit depends on your major, budget, and priorities. Key facts: 84% graduation rate, average net price of $16,109/year, median graduate earnings of $74,915 at 10 years. Use our free Fit Score quiz to see how this school ranks against your specific needs.

Data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, AY 2022–23 (updated November 2025). Earnings reflect median 10-year outcomes for all students who enrolled.