Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Santa Barbara, California |
| Online | ucsb.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize Suburban |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) occupies a 1,000-acre campus on a coastal peninsula in Santa Barbara County, located 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The campus, distinguished by its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and beachfront location, includes student housing communities and research facilities stretching along two miles of Pacific coastline. Founded as a small teachers' college in 1891, UCSB joined the University of California system in 1944 and has developed into a selective research institution, particularly known for its programs in physics, engineering, environmental science, and marine biology. The university maintains multiple research centers and institutes, including the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, while offering undergraduate students a residential college experience where most first-year students live in campus housing. UCSB competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Gauchos, participating in the Big West Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UCSB is rated within the top 22% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of California Santa Barbara within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#112 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#18 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#16 in Best Colleges in California
#6 in Best Public Colleges in California
#54 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1230/1460 |
| ACT | 28/34 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.82 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $80 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,482 |
| Other Fees | $3,131 |
| Room and Board | $18,684 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,456 |
| Total One Year Cost | $40,587 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,482 |
| Other Fees | $3,131 |
| Room and Board | $18,684 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,456 |
| Total One Year Cost | $71,364 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 20% |
| Business | 11% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering UCSB are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110705 IPEDS survey data for University of California Santa Barbara.
Current students may use the University of California Santa Barbara GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025