University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of California
On this coastal campus, bikes and surfboards share the paths as labs face the Pacific. UC Santa Barbara is known for strengths in science and engineering, environmental and marine studies, plus a balanced mix of social sciences, arts, and humanities, with learning that's hands-on through research, studio work, and team projects. The library, makerspaces, and a busy rec center sit alongside advising, tutoring, and counseling.
Life tilts outdoors. You feel it. Surf at Campus Point, bike everywhere, play intramurals, or catch concerts and films in Isla Vista. The culture feels laid-back yet focused and sustainability minded. Career services connect students with internships and a California alumni network. Santa Barbara's arts and coastline offer fieldwork and volunteering. Storke Tower chimes and spirited soccer nights linger. Notable alumni include Jack Johnson and Steve Aoki. It just fits.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara offers 80 degree programs across 18 major academic fields, graduating approximately 7,894 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (6 programs, 1,927 graduates), Biological Sciences (12 programs, 778 graduates), Mathematics (4 programs, 708 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 699 graduates) and Communication (2 programs, 670 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (6 programs, 1,927 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 729 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| Sociology | 661 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 337 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0702 |
| Geography | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0701 |
Biological Sciences (12 programs, 778 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 381 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 74 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0499 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0299 |
| Pharmacology | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1001 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1399 |
| Aquatic Biology | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1304 |
| Microbiology | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0502 |
| Biochemistry | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Zoology and Animal Biology | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0701 |
| General Physiology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0901 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 7 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1302 |
| Neuroscience | 3 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
Mathematics (4 programs, 708 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 405 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0501 |
| Mathematics | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0101 |
| Applied Mathematics | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27.0301 |
| Applied Mathematics | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0399 |
Psychology (3 programs, 699 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 518 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2704 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 158 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2706 |
| Psychology | 23 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.9999 |
Communication (2 programs, 670 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 649 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0100 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 21 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0702 |
Arts (8 programs, 440 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Media Studies | 218 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0601 |
| Studio Arts, General | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Art History and Conservation | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0501 |
| Dance | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Art Studies | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
Natural Resources (2 programs, 434 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 352 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0103 |
| Environmental Science | 82 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
03.0104 |
Physical Sciences (6 programs, 423 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 213 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0801 |
| Chemistry | 101 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0501 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0601 |
| Materials Science | 46 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.1001 |
| Chemistry | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0599 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0605 |
Engineering (4 programs, 392 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 125 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 117 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Computer Engineering | 81 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0901 |
| Chemical Engineering | 69 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 245 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 245 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara
How much does it cost to attend University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara?
The annual tuition at University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara is $14,965 for in-state students and $45,742 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $40,587 for in-state students and $71,364 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,684 (on) / $15,416 (off) and books and supplies $1,482.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of California, Santa Barbara offer?
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara offers 80 academic programs across 18 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (12 programs)
- Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of California, Santa Barbara?
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara has an 27.8% acceptance rate and a 16.4% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 110,871
- Students admitted: 30,804
- Students enrolled: 5,043
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of California, Santa Barbara?
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara provides financial aid to 21% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $21,732 and average loans of $7,480.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,585
- State/Local grants: $11,579
- Institutional grants: $10,142
- Federal loans: $4,326
The university supports 2,480 students with grants and 1,188 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of California, Santa Barbara graduates?
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara graduates earn a median salary of $56,852 after 6 years and $74,915 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $49,095 (25th percentile) to $111,078 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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