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A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A
  2. Value
    A
  3. Diversity
    A
  4. Campus
    A
  5. Athletics
    B+
  6. Party Scene
    A+
  7. Professors
    A+
  8. Location
    A-
  9. Dorms
    B+
  10. Campus Food
    A
  11. Student Life
    A+
  12. Safety
    C+
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University of California - Santa Barbara is ...
Public
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I (without football)
Athletic Conference
Big West Conference
Address
5221 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Website
ucsb.edu
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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
36%
Application Deadline
November 30
SAT Range
1120-1390
ACT Range
27-32
Application Fee
$70
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Required
Early Decision/Early Action
No
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Cost

Net Price
$15,149/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $9,954/ year
  • $30-48k
    $11,076/ year
  • $49-75k
    $14,176/ year
  • $76-110k
    $21,037/ year
  • $110k+
    $31,768/ year
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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
37%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.264 responses
56%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.264 responses
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Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Economics
    558 Graduates
  • Research and Experimental Psychology
    512 Graduates
  • Sociology
    467 Graduates
  • Communications
    389 Graduates
  • International Studies
    332 Graduates
  • Biology
    315 Graduates
  • Environmental Studies
    302 Graduates
  • Political Science and Government
    271 Graduates
  • Physiological Psychology
    175 Graduates
  • English
    174 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
21,199Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
2%
Pell Grant
39%
Varsity Athletes
2%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 163 responses
Report
  • Work hard, party hard
    34%
  • Studious, but can party
    16%
  • Balanced
    15%
  • Party hard, study harder
    14%
  • Everyone's different
    7%
  • Athletic, smart, liberal, good-looking
    5%
  • Extremely chill
    4%

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.364 responses
Poll
57%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.406 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 161 responses
Report
  • Work hard play hard
    54%
  • Balance work and play
    32%
  • Awesome
    6%
  • Many options
    2%
  • "Sleep when you're dead" - School's motto
    2%
  • Study hard in the most beautiful environment
    1%
  • Undescribable
    1%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$52,500/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
82%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
90%
National
83%
61%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.159 responses
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University of California - Santa Barbara Reviews

4,199 reviews
All Categories
I had a great experience attending UCSB! Professors, staff, and peers were all very supportive throughout my four years at this school. Courses were rigorous, but you learned a lot through the professors and the research being conducted. It is a very chill vibe considering you live next to the beach. Living on campus was great and made everything accessible, but living off campus in I.V. was great too since it's right next door to campus. The network created during undergrad and post graduation is amazing as well!
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I am very happy to attend such a beautiful school. While UCSB does have the party-school reputation, it also has a lesser-known academic reputation: classes are rigorous and students rise to the challenge. My biggest issue with UCSB lies mostly with their financial aid office, but that's personal and it's otherwise a great place to consider for college trips!
UCSB is an incredible place! I have had life changing and inspiring professors, met some of my closest friends, and live in a place where I can watch the sun set over the ocean every night. The people at UCSB are very friendly and I have found it to be a place where people try to lift each other up as opposed to competing with each other and not sharing notes or information like other colleges. UCSB has a wonderful study abroad program as a part of the wider UC system. The downside to UCSB is large classes--you really have to make an effort to have relationships with professors, but because it is a large university you have SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES to do research/ intern/ join or start a club. I love my school and my campus and although it took some time to feel this way, I can't imagine myself anywhere else.