CAMPUS · SANTA BARBARA, CA · PUBLIC

UC Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate

University of California-Santa Barbara

27.8%

Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For UC Santa Barbara, the gap is real: a $41,573 published sticker, but families actually pay about $16,162/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.

FIT

MATCH

UC Santa Barbara is a match for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

27.8%

of 110,871 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$74,915

across all majors

UC Santa Barbara at a Glance

28,257

Total Enrollment

$13,993

Median Debt

28.0%

Pell Grant Rate

UC Santa Barbara Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#35	2025
QS World University Rankings	#152	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#57	2024

Show 10-Year US News Ranking History

US News National Universities
2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
#37	#37	#37	#30	#34	#30	#28	#32	#35	#35

US News National Universities: #37 (2016) → #35 (2025) ↑ 2 spots

UC Santa Barbara Admissions Overview

University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university in Santa Barbara, CA with 28,257 students. The 27.8% acceptance rate means admission is competitive but achievable for strong students. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Mathematics/Statistics.

Full Name	University of California-Santa Barbara
Location	Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Type	Public
Website	ucsb.edu/
Total Enrollment	28,257
Undergrad Enrollment	25,091
Female Students	55.7%

Is UC Santa Barbara a Reach, Match, or Safety?

UC Santa Barbara accepts 27.8% of applicants, making it highly selective. Students with above-average GPAs and solid test scores (where applicable) are in Match territory. Below the median, consider it a Reach.

Your Profile	UC Santa Barbara Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

UC Santa Barbara True Cost by Family Income

28% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UCSB enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$9,231	$36,924
$30-48k	$9,992	$39,968
$48-75k	$12,588	$50,352
$75-110k	$17,136	$68,544
$110k+	$31,863	$127,452

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$18,684
Total Cost of Attendance	$41,573

Want to see how UC Santa Barbara stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at UC Santa Barbara

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

27.1%

Biological Sciences

10.5%

Mathematics/Statistics

9.4%

Psychology

9.2%

Communication

8.8%

Best Majors at UC Santa Barbara →

{sn} Student Demographics

White

30.9%

Black/African American

1.9%

Hispanic/Latino

25.3%

Asian

18.4%

International

12.1%

How to Get Into UC Santa Barbara

UCSB is selective, but your odds are real if you meet the academic profile. Strong essays and demonstrated interest can tip the scale at schools in this selectivity range.

27.8%

Acceptance Rate

110,871

Total Applicants

What UC Santa Barbara Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Not Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Important
Volunteer Work	Important

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at UC Santa Barbara by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

UC Santa Barbara Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the UC Santa Barbara UC admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Regular Decision	Nov 30
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 2

UC System: All University of California campuses share the same application deadline. Submit one UC Application for all UC schools.

See UC Santa Barbara alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

28.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$13,993

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$56,852

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Santa Barbara

What is UCSB's acceptance rate?

UCSB has an acceptance rate of 27.8%, making it highly selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What are the most popular majors at UCSB?

The most popular majors at UCSB by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (27.1%), Biological Sciences (10.5%), Mathematics/Statistics (9.4%), Psychology (9.2%), Communication (8.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to UCSB?

UCSB accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.