Your chances of getting into University of California Santa Barbara
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at UCSB is 29.2%. Its admission rate is the 11th lowest in California and the 84th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UCSB and can you get accepted?
UCSB is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, only 30,824 out of the 105,641 who applied were admitted.
The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 16 percent on standardized admission tests. University of California Santa Barbara typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.82. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into UCSB?
29% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to University of California Santa Barbara you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.82 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1350 on the SAT
- Score 31 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
UCSB GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into University of California Santa Barbara?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into UCSB are to have around a 3.82 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Even with a competitive GPA, admission to UCSB will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at UCSB is 3.82 on the 4.0 scale. 87% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #17 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since UCSB is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.82 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
UCSB SAT Scores
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required or recommended by University of California Santa Barbara.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 620 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 610 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1230 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 710 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 750 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1460 |
| Average SAT Score | 1350
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Santa Barbara?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at UCSB is 1350 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1230-1460. Students who get into University of California Santa Barbara score in the top 20 percent of all SAT test takers.. UCSB ranks #15 in the state of California and #115 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1350 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UCSB regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1230 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1230, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1110, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
University of California Santa Barbara is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "neither required nor recommended".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1350 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1345, you have around a 29% chance of being admitted. A 1460 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 44% chance of getting in.
UCSB ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 26 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 26 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 28 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 31 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Average ACT Score | 31
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UCSB?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to UCSB is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 34. The school ranks #11 in California and #71 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 25.
48 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Santa Barbara.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California Santa Barbara is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "neither required nor recommended".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into UCSB for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 29% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 44% with a 34 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
100% of University of California Santa Barbara freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 100% |
| Top 25% of class | 100% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 57,700 | 47,941 | 105,641 |
| Accepted | 18,352 | 12,472 | 30,824 |
| Acceptance Rate | 32% | 26% | 29% |
| Enrolled | 2,949 | 1,951 | 4,900 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 16% | 16% | 16% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 61 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2023.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Santa Barbara is $70.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of California Santa Barbara and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Neither required nor recommended |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Considered but not required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because UCSB is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.82 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1350 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1460 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of California Santa Barbara often consider these 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.
FAQs
Does University of California Santa Barbara prefer SAT or ACT?
81% of students submit their SAT scores to UCSB. 48% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into University of California Santa Barbara?
29% of those who apply are granted admission to UCSB. Admission competition is high and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for University of California Santa Barbara?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1230 and 1460. The average SAT score is 1345. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for University of California Santa Barbara?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 28 and 34. The average ACT score is 31. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.