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UC Santa Barbara: Ranking, Acceptance Rate, Cost, & Admissions 2024
1055 acre campus- Estd. 1891
Last updated on 27 Nov '25UC Santa BarbaraWhat's new?
The application deadline for UG students to submit the online university application at UC Santa Barbara is Dec 2, 2025.
- The University of California Santa Barbara takes admissions on a rolling basis, meaning, international students can apply throughout the year.
About UC Santa Barbara
The UCSB is a public research university in Santa Barbara in US with a ranking of #26 in USA according to the Shiksha Popularity Rankings. UCSB houses 26000+ students and faculty members. UC Santa Barbara operates at a global level and has several collaborations with foreign institutions.UC Santa Barbara operates at a global level and has several collaborations with foreign institutions. UC Santa Barbara's career services put great efforts into enhancing students' employability and providing them with employment opportunities. UC Santa Barbara is among the top 5 public universities in the United States as per Forbes Magazine.
Things to Know About UC Santa Barbara
A few interesting things to know about UCSB is as follows:
|
Particulars |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Establishment |
1891 |
|
Shiksha Ranking |
#36 in USA by Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|
Location |
Santa Barbara, California, USA |
|
Alumni Statistics |
230,000+ |
|
Top 3 Majors |
Social Sciences | Mathematics | Psychology |
|
Acceptance Rate |
Around 27% - 33% |
|
Public or Private |
Public University |
|
Total Programs |
200+ |
|
Total College or Schools |
5 |
|
Student-to-Faculty-Ratio |
18:1 |
|
Annual Tuition Cost |
UG - INR 39.62 L – 41.79 L | PG - INR 22.99 L – 47.41 L |
University of California, Santa Barbara Ranking 2025
University of California, Santa Barbara secured its place in the year 2025 among the top universities in the world with #178 ranking according to the QS. This ranking has seen a declined trend when compared to its past year rank of #163 in 2024.
On the other hand, Shiksha Polpularity Ranking ranked the university at #36 position and THE (Times Higher Education) ranked it at #69 in 2024 at University Ranking.
The University of California, Santa Barbara courses have also secured ranks #43, #44, #149 for its B.E. / B.Tech, MS, Others PG courses, respectively.
#123
#32
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
While the tier status of the university as a whole is unknown, the University of California Santa Barbara is among a select number of "R1 institutions" in the United States for research.
R1 is used to refer those institutions that are known for conducting a very high volume of research work over the course of an academic year, with a large chunk of the budget, also invested to the institute's research work.
The "R1" tag is granted by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
UC Santa Barbara Programs
UC Santa Barbara is very well known for offering the best academic programs for its international students. The University of California Santa Barbara offers more than 200+ majors , degrees and credentials including 90+ undergraduate majors and more than 50+ graduate programs . The most popular courses at UC Santa Barbara are - Social Sciences Biological & Biomedical Sciences Mathematics & Statistics Psychology Communication Journalism Visual & Performing Arts Physical Sciences Engineering, Foreign Languages & Literature etc. UC Santa Barbara Top Programs The top programs at UCSB, as ranked by Shiksha Rankings, are listed below -
|
Top Programs |
Shiksha Rankings |
|---|---|
|
MS |
#43 |
|
Physics |
#8 |
|
Chemical Engineering |
#9 |
|
B.Tech/B.E. |
#42 |
|
Electrical Engineering |
#28 |
|
MFA |
#26 |
|
M.A. |
#38 |
|
Politics |
#50 |
3.9(3)9 months - 2 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
4.0(6)4 years
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Courses at University of California, Santa Barbara are offered across three colleges: Engineering, Creative Studies and Letters. While there are two schools of Environmental Science & Management along with Education that offer quality education to students.
University of California, Santa Barbara Admission 2026
Students seeking admission to University of California, Santa Barbara have to fill the online application form, submit mandatory documents and pay the application fee. University of California, Santa Barbara accepts some exam scores at the time of admission, including English language exams. Some of the exam scores that Indian students have to submit for admission are IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo and GRE. The documents that have to be submitted are SOP, LOR and CV.
- Application fees :USD 140 - 155
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
UC Santa BarbaraUC Santa Barbara Scholarships
UC Santa Barbara offers a range of scholarships and financial aid programs to indian students. The scholarships are based on the merit and the financial needs of the students. Some scholarships and awards offered to Indian students are listed below:
- Deans Award for Outstanding Senior is offered to seniors in the College of Letters and Science for excellent performance.
- Frances Colville and Terry Dearborn Memorial Award is given to students with academic achievements in Mathematical, Life or Physical Science programs.
- Luis Lean Social Sciences UG Award is given to students for excellent academic achievement in a Social Sciences program.
- William R Reardon UG Award is given to students for academic achievement in Humanities and Fine Arts majors at UC Santa Barbara.
18 monthsUC Santa BarbaraStudents Ratings & Reviews
13 Verified Reviews- 8% students never faced discrimination in this university
UC Santa Barbara Placements
University of California Santa Barbara is recognized for having the highest placement rate in the United States of America. University of California Santa Barbara placement rate stands at 84%, and the graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation. UCSB placement rate attracts international students the most. The placement highlights at UC Santa Barbara is given below:
- UCSB graduates work in top companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon Web Services (AWS), NVIDIA, etc.
- UC Santa Barbara graduates work in top notch sectors such as Business Development, Education, Engineering, Sales, Finance, IT, Marketing, and more.
- University of California Santa Barbara graduates are highly skilled in Leadership, Project Management, Strategy, Marketing, Business Development, and others.
- The top programs preffered by UCSB alumni include Economics, Psychology, Business, Finance, Marketing, Computer Science, etc.
ROI After Education from University of California Santa Barbara
According to unoffical sources, the average salary of University of California Santa Barbara graduate is USD 86,000 (INR 74.34 LPA) per year.
Top Employers
Some top employers at UC Santa Barbara is given below:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Meta
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- AppFolio
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- NVIDIA
- UCSB Finance Connection
- Databricks
- Stealth Startup
- Insight Global
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The University of Califronia Santa Barbra is among the top choices of international students for higher education in United States of America. UC Santa Barbara offers a impressive ROI through its top-notch placements. The top employers at the UC Santa Barbara are Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, AppFolio, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apple, Google, and more. According to unoffical sources, the average salary of University of California Santa Barbara graduate is USD 86,000 (INR 74.34 LPA) annually. The university placement rate atracts students from all over the world. The graduates work for top companies such as Business Development, Education, Operations, Engineering, Sales, Research, Information Technology, Arts and Design, Marketing, Human Resources, and more.
UC Santa Barbara is one of the most esteemed universities for continuing higher education in the USA. The University of California Santa Barbara placement rate stand at 84%, and the students are employed within 6 months of graduation. This figure states that out of 100 students, around 84 students secured employment. UC Santa Barbara graduates are constantly in high demand worldwide. The university graduates work for top sectors such as Business Development, Education, Operations, Engineering, Sales, Research, and more. Furthermore, the top employers at University of California Santa Barbara are listed below:
- UC Santa Barbara
- Apple
- Amazon
- Meta
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- AppFolio
- Associated Students of UC Santa Barbara
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- NVIDIA
- UCSB Women in Business
- UCSB Finance Connection
- UCSB Investment Advisory Committee (IAC)
- Databricks
The University of California Santa Barbara is known for offering the highest placement rate in USA. UC Santa Barbara placement rate attracts international students the most. The University of California Santa Barbara placement rate stand at 84%, and the students are employed within 6 months of graduation. This figure states that out of 100 students, around 84 students secured employment. According to unofficial sources, the average annual salary of University of California Santa Barbara graduates is USD 86,000 (INR 74.34 LPA). The university graduates are always in high demand all over the world. The university graduates work for top sectors such as Engineering, Business Development, Operations, Education, Information Technology, etc.. According to the University of California Santa Barbara reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the school has been rated 4.4 stars for the quality of its faculty. The students rated the University of California Santa Barbara for placement is as follows:
Particulars | Ratings (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
Internships | 3.3 |
Part Time Work | 3.1 |
Post Study Jobs | 4.4 |
UC Santa Barbara Fees
The tuition fee is one of the major factors that students consider while planning to study abroad. The UC Santa Barbara fees for international students are very competitive. The UC Santa Barbara tuition fees for international students will depend on the course they plan to study.
The average tuition fee for undergraduate courses at UCSB ranges between INR 39.62 L - 41.79 L. Moreover, the average tuition fee for postgraduate courses ranges between INR 22.99 L - 47.41 L.
Further, students must also take into account some additional costs associated with living in Santa Barbara, such as hostel, medical bills, public transport, etc.
Given below is a breakdown of the costs MS students can expect to incur at UC Santa Barbara:
| Fee Component | Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition | INR 23.09 L-INR 32.57 L |
| Hostel | INR 8.47 L-INR 11.99 L |
| Insurance | INR 4.77 L-INR 7.55 L |
| Transportation | INR 2.09 L-INR 2.45 L |
| Others | INR 28.9 K-INR 3.5 L |
| Total Fee | INR 38.7 L-INR 58.1 L |
Check the table mentioned below to know more about the courses, fees, duration & eligibility:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(17 courses) | INR 24 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 120 - 130, TOEFL: 80 - 100, GRE |
B.Sc.(22 courses) | INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
MBA/PGDM(2 courses) | INR 27 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 9-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 - 100, Duolingo: 120 & Above, GRE |
B.A.(40 courses) | INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
B.E. / B.Tech(7 courses) | INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
BBA(2 courses) | INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
M.A.(14 courses) | INR 24 L - 27 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
MFA(1 course) | INR 24 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
Others PG(3 courses) | INR 24 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
B.Pharma(1 course) | INR 41 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
UC Santa BarbaraStudent profile
Others
54%
Hispanic
25%
Asian
18%
Black
1%
In state
77%
Foreign
12%
Out of state
9%
24 and under
97%
25 and over
2%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
UC Santa Barbara Notable Alumni
UC Santa Barbara has a rich alumni network all over the world. University of California Santa Barla has more than 230,000 alumni members working worldwide. UCSB alumni network include various famous personalities, entrepreneurs, businessman, innovators, industry leaders, and more. Some notable alumni of UCSB include Edi Gathegi, Robby Krieger, Harris Faulkner, etc. A few more notable at UC Santa Barbara is mentioned below:
| Name of Personality | Profession | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Kirk Douglas | American Actor and Film Producer |  |
| Gwyneth Paltrow | American Actress and Businesswoman |  |
| Benjamin Bratt | American Actor |  |
| Steve Aoki | American DJ and Music Producer |  |
| Alison Eastwood | American Film Director and Actress |  |
| Jack Hody Johnson | American Singer-Songwriter |  |
| Aja Naomi King | American Actress |  |
| Gerald William Trainor | American Actor and Musician |  |
| Katy Tur | American Author and Broadcast Journalist |  |
| Charissa Jean Thompson | American Television Host and Sportscaster |  |
UC Santa Barbara Vs UIUC Vs UCLA: Which is better?
University of California Santa Barbara, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and University of California Los Angeles are some of the most prominent univeristies in USA.
Each of these institutions rank highly as part of university rankings given by Shiksha. These institutions are known to be the trend-setters of modern day education, blending academics with exposure to industry standard practices. While, UCSB & UCLA are based in California, the University of Illinois is based in Chicago. Though, there isn't much between these universities when it comes to overall educational standards & environment, some variations do exist in certain important parameters such as: acceptance rate, programs, course fee & rankings, factors that may be vital to decide which institution is the right choice for future studies.
Given below is a comparsion between UCSB, UIUC & UCLA.
|
Criteria |
University of California Santa Barbara |
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign |
University of California Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States |
Champaign, IL, USA |
Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States |
|
Acceptance Rate |
29% |
45% |
9% |
|
Popular Programs |
Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Arts |
Engineering, Business, Psychology |
Economics, MBA, Psychology
|
|
Tuition Fee (MS) |
INR 23.09 L - 32.57 L |
INR 15.37 L - 44.53 L
|
INR 22.83 L - 60.06 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
#36 |
#25 |
#11 |
Compare UC Santa Barbara with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 23.54 L - 61.65 L | #40 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 0 - 9.68 L | #535 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 37.71 L | #41 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 20.47 L | -/- | |
| INR 17.76 L - 22.71 L | #351 THE, 2026 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
Both UCSB & UCLA fall under the institutional umbrella of The University of California. Despite that, the universities are varying degrees of acceptance rates. Both institutions are known to be highly selective at admitting students & are only known to accept highly qualified candidates.
The UCSB acceptance rate is 29% while that of UCLA is around 9%. Thus, securing a seat at UCLA is almost three times as tough as doing so at UCSB.
UC Santa BarbaraStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
UC Santa Barbara Campus Life
UCSB is in Santa Barbara, California. The campus's 500+ student clubs offers students a chance to enjoy the campus life along with studies.
Campus Life
The campus is full of vibrancy throughout the day, thanks to the opportunities it provides students as part of its world class campus facilities, including the MultiCultural center, Pollock Theater, The Art & Design Museum & so much more.
- The campus is home to the national champion soccer team "The Gauchos" who are part of the College World Series & take part in league games over the duration of the academic year competing with teams from some of the best universities in the country for the coveted prize
- For Housing, students can opt to be part of the university maintained halls located on campus. The university offers dedicated residential spaces for students, their families, faculty & staff.
- The option to live off-campus is also open to students, with alternative housing portals such as: University Living, Uloop, Apartments.com some popular options.
Commonly asked questions On Others
Yes, based on reviews posted by students on Shiksha Study Abroad, the general consensus among the international students is of satisfaction. The Santa Barbara campus achieved an Safety rating of 4.4 out of 5, which can be deemed pretty good.
Also, 6% of the students who shared their experiences, never faced any discrimination in the university over the duration of their studies. The institute also recieves 4.4 stars for quality of faculty, post study job opportunities, safety & overall student life. The campus's Indian food also secures 4.3 stars out of a possible 5.
The UC Santa Barbara campus is considered "pretty safe", going by reviews posted by students on Shiksha Study Abroad.
The campus achieves 4.4 stars out of a possible 5 for safety, & 6% of the students who shared their experiences never faced any discrimination over the duration of their studies.
Given below is the historical crime rate data for the UC Santa Barbara campus:
Year | Number of Crimes |
|---|---|
2020 | 264 |
2021 | 171 |
2022 | 221 |
UC Santa Barbara
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 10 months ago
The University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate is around 33%, which makes admission moderately selective for international students. It is worth it to study at UCSB because of its impressive placement opportunities for graduates. The UC Santa Barbara placement rate is around 90% and grad
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a year ago
The University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate decreases from 27.78% in 2023-24 to 33% in 2024-25. The university received over 110,000 applications for undergraduate admission among which around 30,000 students are admitted at the university. The below table includes the UC Santa Barbar
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 years ago
A
Beginner-Level 1
About the author
UC Santa Barbara
Entrance gate
University of California
Aerial View
UC Santa BarbaraLocation
| University City | Santa Barbara, California, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 92,101 |
UC Santa BarbaraCampuses
Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States
Visit official siteUC Santa BarbaraContact Information
University of California, Santa Barbara
Student Resource Building, Room 3130
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Santa Barbara ( California)
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