University of California - Santa Barbara
- A+Overall Grade
- 4 Year
- Santa Barbara, CA
- 4,284 reviews
- AcademicsA
- ValueA
- DiversityA
- CampusA
- AthleticsB+
- Party SceneA+
- ProfessorsA+
- LocationNG
- DormsA-
- Campus FoodA-
- Student LifeA+
- SafetyC+
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I (without football)
Athletic Conference
Big West Conference
University of California - Santa Barbara Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
33%
SAT Range
1190-1400
ACT Range
28-33
Application Fee
$70
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Required
Early Decision/Early Action
No
Application Website
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Cost
Net Price
$16,154/ year
National
$15,523Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Academics
Professors
A+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
18:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
- 77%
- of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.247 responses
- 38%
- of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.270 responses
- 57%
- of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.270 responses
Majors
Most Popular Majors
Economics
558 GraduatesResearch and Experimental Psychology
512 GraduatesSociology
467 GraduatesCommunications
389 GraduatesInternational Studies
332 GraduatesBiology
315 GraduatesEnvironmental Science
302 GraduatesPolitical Science and Government
271 GraduatesPhysiological Psychology
175 GraduatesEnglish
174 Graduates
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
21,777Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
409
Undergrads Over 25
3%
Pell Grant
33%
Varsity Athletes
2%
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
—
Poll
- 56%
- of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.370 responses
Poll
- 57%
- of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.412 responses
After College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$55,300/ year
National
$33,028Graduation Rate
81%
National
49%Employed 2 Years After Graduation
91%
National
83%- 61%
- of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.159 responses
University of California - Santa Barbara Reviews
4,284 reviews
All Categories
UC Santa Barbara represents everything that is good in the world. Students are kind, outgoing, smart, curious, and eager to grow. They're booksmart, but they also know how to connect with people. The library is filled to the brim during the week, but the surrounding neighborhood of Isla Vista pulses with energy on the weekends. Work and play intermingle at UCSB and that's I think what makes the school turn out such well-rounded people who take the professional world by storm by being both highly intellectual and relatable. Professors have open door policies and genuinely want to see you succeed. They stay late after class to read your essay outlines, hold extra office hours before big exams, assist with putting study groups together. But, they're also human beings who are easy to connect with and who are always dispensing helpful post-graduation and life advice. The word "community" is very much alive and well at UCSB. Go Gauchos!
UCSB is one of the most well-rounded universities in California as well as the nation. This Tier 1 research institution resides in Isla Vista right next to the beach. It is currently ranked the number 3 UC by US News and World Report behind UCLA and UC Berkeley.
As one of the most diverse campuses in the UC system in terms of race, gender, sexuality, and religion it is much easier to fit in and gives a deeper appreciation for other cultures and backgrounds.
UCSB boasts over 200 majors in a wide variety of departments and world-renowned professors. As a Global Studies major one of my professors, Mark Jurgensmeyer, is an expert on ethnocultural relations in the Middle East. As a journalist, he has been able to interview some of the members of Al-Qaeda responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as the leaders of religious nationalist movements across the world. It is professors like him that make this a one of a kind educational experience!
As one of the most diverse campuses in the UC system in terms of race, gender, sexuality, and religion it is much easier to fit in and gives a deeper appreciation for other cultures and backgrounds.
UCSB boasts over 200 majors in a wide variety of departments and world-renowned professors. As a Global Studies major one of my professors, Mark Jurgensmeyer, is an expert on ethnocultural relations in the Middle East. As a journalist, he has been able to interview some of the members of Al-Qaeda responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as the leaders of religious nationalist movements across the world. It is professors like him that make this a one of a kind educational experience!
Overall, UCSB left an indelible memory of extraordinary! There is no other place quite like it. The academics are quite rigorous, but prepare students for professions at top companies. The professors are quite skilled in their fields, having educations at top tier schools, and are willing to be involved and invested with their students. The student life is lively, out-going, and you take away a collective sense of care for one another. Not to mention that the oceanic and mountain scenery is marvelous, situated just off the coast of California.