University of California-Santa Barbara

www.ucsb.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$12,260

3.6% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$17,658

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

33%

110,259 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

26,133

97% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

83%

4,221 Graduates

About

University of California-Santa Barbara is a higher education institution located in Santa Barbara County, CA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at University of California-Santa Barbara were Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (702 degrees awarded), Sociology (650 degrees), and General Communication (649 degrees).

In 2024, 7,895 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of California-Santa Barbara. 56% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,782 degrees), 1.6 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,743 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara is $12,260, which is $−19,660 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

About the photo: Beteen the Nano (Courtyard) Cafe and CNSI

Photo by Glenn Beltz

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara is $12,260, which is $19,660 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,658.

In 2024, 57% of undergraduate students attending University of California-Santa Barbara received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 18% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$12,260

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara was $12,260. The cost of tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara is $−19,660 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$17,658

2024 Value

15.5%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 University of California-Santa Barbara had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,658. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of University of California-Santa Barbara grew by 15.5%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,355

Room and Board

$1,482

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of California-Santa Barbara was of $17,355 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 11.5% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,482. The cost of books and supplies increased by 10.3% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

57%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

18%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

57% of undergraduate students at University of California-Santa Barbara received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 57% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

University of California-Santa Barbara received 110,259 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 0.552% annual growth. Out of those 110,259 applicants, 36,347 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 33% acceptance rate.

There were 26,133 students enrolled at University of California-Santa Barbara in 2024. 82% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of California-Santa Barbara has an overall enrollment yield of 13.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

33%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

36,347

Accepted Out of 110,259

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of California-Santa Barbara was 33% (36,347 admissions from 110,259 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 27.8%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 0.552%, while admissions grew by 18%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

82%

Submission Percentage (2020)

3,957

Scores Submitted (2020)

82% of enrolled first-time students at University of California-Santa Barbara in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of California-Santa Barbara had a total enrollment of 26,133 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Santa Barbara is 25,357 students and the part-time enrollment is 776. This means that 97% of students enrolled at University of California-Santa Barbara are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of California-Santa Barbara, both undergraduate and graduate, is 31.9% White, 25.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 8.53% Two or More Races, 2.14% Black or African American, 0.149% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0651% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at University of California-Santa Barbara in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (17.6%) and White Male (12.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.1%), followed by White Male (16.9%) and Asian Male (6.76%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

97%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of California-Santa Barbara in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 26,133 students. The full-time enrollment at University of California-Santa Barbara is 25,357 and the part-time enrollment is 776. This means that 97% of students enrolled at University of California-Santa Barbara are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

93%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of California-Santa Barbara was 93%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), University of California-Santa Barbara had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of California-Santa Barbara (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
8,340 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
6,652 enrolled students
Asian
4,514 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of California-Santa Barbara is 31.9% White, 25.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 8.53% Two or More Races, 2.14% Black or African American, 0.149% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0651% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 670 students (2.56%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 941 more women than men received degrees from University of California-Santa Barbara. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of California-Santa Barbara is white (2,782 degrees awarded). There were 1.6 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,743 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at University of California-Santa Barbara is Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (702 degrees awarded), followed by Sociology (650 degrees) and General Communication (649 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of California-Santa Barbara, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Math & Statistics (708 degrees awarded), Natural Resources & Conservation (434 degrees), and Social Sciences (1,927 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Santa Barbara are Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (372,677 people), Other managers (353,914 people), Postsecondary teachers (229,331 people), Software developers (165,786 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (161,204 people).

The most specialized majors at University of California-Santa Barbara in 2024 are Math & Statistics (708 degrees awarded), Natural Resources & Conservation (434 degrees), Social Sciences (1,927 degrees), Physical Sciences (423 degrees), and Philosophy and Religious Studies (141 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Santa Barbara are Surgeons, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at University of California-Santa Barbara are Math & Statistics (708 degrees awarded), Natural Resources & Conservation (434 degrees), Social Sciences (1,927 degrees), Physical Sciences (423 degrees), and Philosophy and Religious Studies (141 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of California-Santa Barbara are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (462,627 people), Elementary & secondary schools (445,271 people), Computer Systems Design (321,493 people), Legal services (295,510 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (218,322 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of California-Santa Barbara.

Most Common (2024)

Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
702 degrees awarded
Sociology
650 degrees awarded
General Communication
649 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of California-Santa Barbara was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 702 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of California-Santa Barbara according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,477

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

4,418

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 3,477 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Santa Barbara, which is 0.787 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,418).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of California-Santa Barbara by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 450 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Santa Barbara in Econometrics & Quantitative Economics, which is 1.61 times more than the 279 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 481 degrees were awarded to men at University of California-Santa Barbara in Sociology, which is 2.67 times more than the 180 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

73%

100% Completion Time

86%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 73% of students graduating from University of California-Santa Barbara completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 86% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 87% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at University of California-Santa Barbara is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.59% of graduates (67 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,782 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,743 degrees awarded
Asian
1,425 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of California-Santa Barbara is white (2,782 degrees awarded). There were 1.6 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,743 degrees).

2.6% of degree recipients (205 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
1,781 degrees awarded
White Female
1,712 degrees awarded
White Male
1,630 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of California-Santa Barbara is white female (1,781 degrees awarded). There were 1.04 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,712 degrees).

Operations

University of California-Santa Barbara has an endowment valued at nearly $444M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 38.2M (8.6%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Santa Barbara are: Business and Financial Operations, with 619 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 548 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 540 employees.

Endowment

$444M

2024 Endowment

17.8%

growth from 2023

University of California-Santa Barbara has an endowment valued at about $444M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of University of California-Santa Barbara grew 17.8% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $192M higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at University of California-Santa Barbara (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$153M - Federal
$10.2M - State
$2.03M - Local

As of 2024, University of California-Santa Barbara received $153M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $10.2M from state grants and contracts, and $2.03M from local grants and contracts.

Instructional Salaries

$207M

Instructional Salaries

1,112

Number of Employees

In 2024, University of California-Santa Barbara paid a total of $207M to 1,112 employees working as instructors, which represents 31.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of California-Santa Barbara were Business and Financial Operations with 619 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 548 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 540 employees.

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