University of California, Santa Barbara
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UC Santa Barbara: Ranking, Acceptance Rate, Cost, & Admissions 2024

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#122 in World

#32 in USA

  • Institute Icon1055 acre campus
  • Estd. 1891
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 19 Sep '25

UC Santa Barbara
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The application deadline for UG students to submit the online university application at UC Santa Barbara is Dec 2, 2025.

 

About UC Santa Barbara

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All
Things to Know
Year of establishment
1891
Also known as
UCSB
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
3015
Campus size
1055 acres
No. of campus
1
Endowment value
USD 322 million
Scholarships granted
13985
Scholarship amount granted
USD 274 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
1565
Faculty/Student ratio
17
Male/Female ratio
1.13
Total criminal offences
221
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   Is University of California Santa Barbara hard to get into?
A: 

UC Santa Barbara acceptance rate is 29%. With such a low acceptance rate, it is very hard to get into the university. UC Santa Barbara is very selective in admissions. International students applying for various programs at UC Santa Barbara should check the admission eligibility and admission deadline for their courses. 

Q:   What are the student reviews of University of California, Santa Barbara?
A: 

The University of California Santa Barbra is among the top universities for international students to continue higher education in USA. UC Santa Barbara graduates works for top companies all over the world. Moreover, the graduates are constantly in high demand. According to student's reviews on Shiksha, UC Santa Barbara has an overall rating of 4.2 stars out of 5. Moreover, students have rated UC Santa Barbara based on various factors that are listed below:

Particulars

Ratings (Out of 5)

Internships

3.3

Part Time Work

3.1

Post Study Jobs

4.4

Quality of Faculty

4.4

Student Life

4.4

Value of Money

3.2

Public Transportation

4.5

Permanent Immigration

3.1

Safety

4.4

Indian Food

4.3

UC Santa Barbara Ranking 2026

#122

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#32

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Is UCSB a tier 1 school?
A: 

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 Admissions 2026

  • Application fees :USD 140 - 155
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNot required
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What are some tips and hacks for incoming freshmen at UC Santa Barbara?
A: 

Some of the tips for students starting their first semester at the UC Santa Barbara are:

  • Students who apply for UC Santa Barbara must be humble and should interact with as many people as possible. Mainly beacause, the more people you talk to the better knowledge you get. 

  • Attend as many gatherings and parties as much as you can. 

  • Applicants should avoid missing classes, as 70% of learning comes from students going to classes. 

  • Students can get involved with extracurricular activities, i.e., joining university clubs, sports, etc. This will also look good on a portfolio in the long run.

UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara Scholarships

UC Santa Barbara Popular Courses

MS
B.Sc.
B.A.
M.A.
More

₹26.86 LGet Fee Details

₹61.69 LGet Fee Details

₹26.86 LGet Fee Details

₹26.86 LGet Fee Details

₹23.55 LGet Fee Details

View AllMS Courses

UC Santa Barbara
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.9/5
Verified Icon15 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 7% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Multi-dimensional
Fun loving
Friendly
Sporty
Internships3.3
Part time work3.1
Post study jobs4.4
Quality of faculty4.4
Student Life4.4
Value for money3.2
Public transportation4.5
Safety4.5
Indian Food4.3
Permanent Immigration3.1
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MA in Economics - Batch of 2025
3.9
University of California has provided a great experience so far with amazing faculty.
Tips: For me, studying here at UCSB has been a major change in my life and an experience that has also transformed me. I had some culture shock when I came here and was initially a little nervous but I also noticed that the student services and peer mentors made a big difference in helping me settle in. Overall, it has been a good experience for me so far.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3250
Prepping time for classes29 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 81350
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Technology Management - Batch of 2026
3.9
Had a good time here with great faculty.
Tips: I have had a fulfilling experience at UCSB. I've learned a lot and grown a lot as a person. Before you start your classes, get an idea of where they are located and who your professors are. Ask your guidance counselors about them. They can give you a good idea of what to expect and how to prepare.
Likes (Quality of faculty): I've had a good experience at UCSB. The professors and faculty are very approachable and understanding when you have concerns or significant issues. I've seen Indian-origin professors and professors from other ethnicities as well. I've had mainly positive experiences with them as they are happy to help.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3675
Prepping time for classes31 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85225
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
BS/BA in Mathematics - Batch of 2024
3.9
Great place to learn and develop the right skills.
Tips: If you are looking to experiment and find your way in life and career, then UCSB would provide the right environment. Although the course loads are intense and classes are competitive, you will get to explore several internship and project opportunities that will develop your interest in the programs. Hence, keep an open mind and embrace every opportunity here.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2875
Prepping time for classes27 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85225
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
BS in Ecology and Evolution - Batch of 2025
3.7
Very accepting campus and culture.
Tips: I have learned a lot from my time here in California. Studying here has made me realise that a lot of learning can take place outside classrooms as well. This prompted me to participate in sports and extracurriculars such as cultural events. All in all, I have had a pleasant and positive experience.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2825
Prepping time for classes29 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 78275
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
BS/BA in Physics - Batch of 2026
3.9
Very innovative and creative space to grow.
Tips: One of the first things to know about studying at UCSB is that the workloads and the courses can be very intense and because of the concept of relative grading followed in classes, it is extremely competitive as well. There are also a number of resources for students to help them out such as peer tutoring, mentoring, and office hours. Other than academics, there are a number of social mixers and clubs for students to socialize.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3200
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 76725
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MS in Earth Science - Batch of 2025
3.9
Very accommodating and welcoming campus.
Tips: I have experienced both good and stressful experiences here in college. The classes can be academically rigorous but there are plenty of activities outside the classroom as well. The campus of UCSB is breathtaking and the outdoors are very inviting hence activities like trekking, hiking and volleyball are popular among students to unwind after a long day. Finally, I would suggest that before you reach campus, figure out your accommodation preference and sign up for a meal plan if you plan on staying within campus most of the time.
Likes (Safety): I have personally found the campus to be super safe and comfortable for me as there is more than adequate security and the students are very united and helpful. It is more unsafe outside of campus especially concerning theft and robbery and more.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2925
Prepping time for classes33 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
Reviewed on 30 Sep 2024Read more
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UC Santa Barbara Placements

Top Recruiters

UBS
Motorola
Target
Microsoft
Samsung
Osmosys
NOKIA
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Oracle
Yahoo
Panasonic
Visit official career services website External Link Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   What is the placement rate of UC Santa Barbara?
A: 

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 Sanata Barbara placement rate attracts international stuents the most. The univresity graudates work for top companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, and more. UC Sanata Barbara graudates are constantly in high demand workdwide. The university graduates work for top sectors such as Business Development, Education, Engineering, Sales, Finance, etc. Furthermore, the graudates are highly skilled in Leadership, Project Management, Strategy, Marketing, Business Development, and others.

Q:   What is the average salary of University of California Santa Barbara?
A: 

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.

Q:   Who are the top employers at UC Santa Barbara?
A: 

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
  • Google
  • 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

UC Santa Barbara Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(17 courses)
INR 24 L - 62 LGet Fee Details
Duration9 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 120 - 130, TOEFL: 80 - 100, GRE
B.Sc.(22 courses)
INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
B.A.(40 courses)
INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
M.A.(14 courses)
INR 24 L - 27 LGet Fee Details
Duration18 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
MBA/PGDM(2 courses)
INR 27 L - 62 LGet Fee Details
Duration9-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 - 100, Duolingo: 120 & Above, GRE
B.E. / B.Tech(7 courses)
INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details
Duration4-5 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above
BBA(2 courses)
INR 41 L - 43 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
B.Pharma(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
MFA(1 course)
Duration2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
Others UG(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo
Read more
View Course Wise Fees ->
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   What is the minimum score required for IELTS in University of California, Santa Barbara for indian students?
A: 

International students coming from non-English speaking countries like India are required to show their English Language Proficiency by qualifying IELTS with a qualified score. However, the University of California, Santa Barbara also accepts other English Language Proficiency test scores such as TOEFL/ Duolingo (DET) and others. Indian students seeking admission at the University of California, Santa Barbara for undergraduate programmes are required to have a minimum band of 6.5 in IELTS. For graduate programmes, the University of California, Santa Barbara accepts IELTS scores which are no less than 7 from international students for admissions.

Q:   Can students apply for Part-time jobs while studying at University of California, Santa Barbara?
A: 

Students studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara can certainly apply for part-time jobs, while studying. The university allows its students to enrol into part-time jobs while pursuing their studies and offers internships and on or off-campus part-time jobs to students. If you're an international student, you'll need a valid work permit to work in the country. While you're studying at the university during a regular session, you can work for up to 20 hours. During breaks and holidays, you're allowed to work up to 40 hours. UC Santa Barbara offers different job opportunities on campus. You can access these openings by logging into the university portal or by checking out the on-campus job fair at the start of the semester.

Q:   What GPA do you need to get into UCSB?
A: 

University of California Santa Barbara asks for a minimum 3.4 score in all A-G courses. Only the grades you earn in A-G subjects in the tenth and eleventh grades – including summer sessions – are used to calculate your preliminary GPA. Irrespective of grades, UCSB wants its applicants to be all-rounders as well. Applicants must check their admission documents thoroughly in order to get selected.To be admitted to the UCSB, a strong academic profile is recommended, including competitive scores in the GMAT or GREs.  However, the admission process at the University of California Santa Barbara takes a holistic approach, considering multiple factors in the student's profile. These factors include Leadership, Work experience, essays, LOR and interviews that the students give during their admission process. 







UC Santa Barbara
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

54%

Hispanic

25%

Asian

18%

Black

1%

UG Student residence

In state

77%

Foreign

12%

Out of state

9%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

97%

25 and over

2%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

110995
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

86
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

23459
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

2961

UC Santa Barbara Notable Alumni

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Commonly asked questions
On Alumni
Q:   Who are the notable alumni of UC Santa Barbara?
A: 

UC Santa Barbara is one of the oldest univeristies in United States of America for continuing higher education. With more than 230,000 alumni members all over the globe. UCSB alumni network include various famous personalities, entrepreneurs, businessman, innovators, industry leaders, etc. Some notable alumni of UCSB include Edi Gathegi, Robby Krieger, Harris Faulkner, Reza Aslan, and more. UCSB graduates are highly skilled in Marketing, Sales, Strategic Planning, Strategy, Business Development, Project Management, etc. Some notable alumni of UC Santa Barbara include:

  • Gwyneth Paltrow
  • Benjamin Bratt
  • Steve Aoki
  • Alison Eastwood
  • Jack Hody Johnson
  • Aja Naomi King
  • Gerald William Trainor
  • Katy Tur
  • Charissa Jean Thompson

UC Santa Barbara Vs UIUC Vs UCLA: Which is better?

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Compare UC Santa Barbara with other similar colleges

MS
B.Sc.
B.A.
M.A.
MBA/PGDM
B.E. / B.Tech
BBA
B.Pharma
MFA
Others UG
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 23.55 L - 61.69 L#40 US News, 2026
INR 23.78 L - 57.45 L#114 QS, 2026
INR 26.64 L - 58.52 L#75 US News, 2026
INR 23.55 L - 66.35 L#293 QS, 2026
INR 21.54 L - 41.52 L#59 US News, 2026
INR 25.14 L - 49.28 L#26 US News, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Comparisons
Q:   Which is harder to get into among University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California, Los Angeles?
A: 

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.  

Study in the USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
347.28M (2025)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
October
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston817
New York1018
Chicago1017
Los Angeles1626
Explore popular study abroad destinations
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Commonly asked questions
On Study in Country
Q:   How to apply for an USA visa?
A: 

If you are aiming to apply for a visa to the USA, you can follow the following steps:

  • If you are applying for a USA visa as a student, then you are required to apply and get an admission acceptance letter from a US university or college. This includes obtaining an I-20 form (for F-1 visas) or a DS-2019 form (for J-1 visas) from your institution.
  • After getting the acceptance letter from a US-based college/university, pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee and apply for the visa. 
  • Now, fill out the DS-160 form online through the U.S. Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and after receiving the form collect the DS-160 confirmation page.
  • Pay the VISA fee through the online portal of the US embassy and consulate.
  • Schedule a visa interview appointment.
  • Attend the interview and submit the required documents

UC Santa Barbara Campus Life

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Others
Q:   What is student life like at UCSB?
A: 

As per student reviews on Shiksha Study Abroad, the general feeling among students that have pursued respective studies at the university is one of content & satisfaction. The faculty is described as "well-versed in their courses" who push students to explore their potential.

The overall campus environment is vibrant & inclusive of students from all backgrounds with something to explore for everyone. 

The institute is given an rating of 4.4 out of 5 for Student Life & an overall review rating of 3.9 out of 5, which can be considered very solid. 

Q:   Are UCSB students happy?
A: 

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.

Q:   How safe is UC Santa Barbara?
A: 

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

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Comments

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UC Santa Barbara

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 8 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

...Read more

A

Aayushi Sharma

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

...Read more

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a year ago

The University of California Santa Barbara offers a variety of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The tuition fee for international students at the university may vary from course to course. Therefore, international students are advised to check the fees for their courses before a

...Read more

43282603
Anurag Pal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

With an acceptance rate of just 29%, UCSB seeks diverse students who demonstrate excellent academic grades and well-rounded individuals involved with extracurricular activities showcasing unique talent and experiences in their portfolio. Although the University of California Santa Barbara's acceptan

...Read more

53480137
sneha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a year ago

Yes, international students applying for admission at University of California, Santa Barbara can choose from nine residential halls, six residential apartments for undergradates and one apartment is available for graduates of UCSB.

A

Atul Mishra

Beginner-Level 1

About the author

author image
joisha verma

Study Abroad Expert

Joisha is a passionate writer, specialized in writing engaging and meaningful content with skilled research and styles.

UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara Others(1)Entrance gate
UC Santa Barbara Others(2)University of California
UC Santa Barbara Others(3)Aerial View
UC Santa Barbara Others(1)
UC Santa Barbara Others(2)

UC Santa Barbara
Location

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University CitySanta Barbara, California, USA
Size of citySmall
Population of City92,101

UC Santa Barbara
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
University of California Santa Barbara CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States

Visit official site External Link Icon

UC Santa Barbara
Contact Information

Address

University of California, Santa Barbara
Student Resource Building, Room 3130
Santa Barbara, CA 93106

Santa Barbara ( California)

Go to College Website ->