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Public · Santa Barbara, California

University of California-Santa Barbara

Suburban campus · 23,113 undergraduates · 17 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
33%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$16,109
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
83%
The Storke Tower and the University Center in front of the UCSB Lagoon.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is University of California-Santa Barbara a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What University of California-Santa Barbara costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$9,231
$30,001 – $48,000
$9,992
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,588
$75,001 – $110,000
$17,136
Over $110,000
$31,863

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$41,573
Tuition, in-state
$16,414
Tuition, out-of-state
$50,614
First-years given a grant by the school
46%
Average grant from the school
$12,088
Median debt at graduation
$13,993
The school's own net price calculator
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Admissions

Acceptance rate
33%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
92%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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University of California-Santa Barbara athletics

NCAA D1, 9 women's and 10 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–52
Basketball1621
Cross country1925
Golf–10
Soccer3945
Softball21–
Swimming & diving2724
Tennis1011
Track & field5556
Volleyball2222
Water polo2428

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NCAA D1 school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Social sciences
27%
Psychology
12%
Mathematics & statistics
10%
Biological & biomedical sciences
10%
Communication & journalism
9%
Natural resources & conservation
5%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
83%
First-year retention
92%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$74,915
Median debt at graduation
$13,993
Students with a Pell grant
28%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.