

University of California, Santa Barbara Rankings 2025
1055 acre campus
- Estd. 1891
- UCSB Ranking Highlights
- UCSB University Ranking
- UCSB Course Ranking
- University of California Santa Barbara US News & World Report Rankings 2025
- University of California Santa Barbara QS Rankings 2025
- University of California Santa Barbara THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking 2025
- UCSB ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) Ranking 2024
- UCSB Student Reviews
UCSBRanking Highlights
Recognized globally as a leading global enterprise, University of California, Santa Barbara is dedicated to delivering academic excellence. Offering a wide array of courses across various fields and disciplines for its students, UC Santa Barbara stands out and has an impressive global ranking, and is surely a world-class education place for international students.
According to Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #29 in USA and #43 in MS in USA. Moving on, according to 'University Ranking' category of QS 2025, University of California Santa Barbara ranks #178, indicating a drop of #15 positions comparison to its last year’s ranking, i.e., #163 in 2024. University of California Santa Barbara also ranks #67 in THE 'University Ranking' category 2025. As compared to the last year, University of California Santa Barbara witnessed a upshift trend in its THE (Times Higher Education) ranking which stood at #69 in 2024. As per US News & World Report, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #39 under the category of “Best National Universities 2025”. In 2024, University of California Santa Barbara was ranked at #35. Showing a downshift in ranking with #4 position in comparison to previous year’s ranking.
A graphical representation of University of California Santa Barbara ranking trend over the past decade is provided below:
Check out more details on University of California, Santa Barbara ranking in the below content.
Commonly asked questions On Ranking Highlight
Q: What is the ranking of University of California Santa Barbara globally?
The University of California Santa Barbara is among the top universities in USA for continuing higher education. When it comes to ranking, UC Santa Barbara is one of the top-ranked universities in the world. According to Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the University of California Santa Barbara has an overall ranking of #29 in USA. Check the table listed below for UC Santa Barbara ranking by top ranking publisher all over the world:
Ranking Publishers | Rank |
---|---|
Shiksha Popularity Rankings | #29 in USA and #43 in MS in USA |
US News & World Report 2025 | #39 |
Times Higher Education 2025 | #67 |
QS World University Rankings 2025 | #178 |
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking 2024) | #64 |
Q: What is the ranking of University of California Santa Barbara in comparison to the UIUC?
According to the Times Higher Education, the University of California Santa Barbara is ranks at #64 and UIUC ranks between #48 under the category of “World University Rankings 2025”. The comparative rankings of University of California Santa Barbara and UIUC are given as follows:
Year | University of California Santa Barbara | UIUC |
---|---|---|
2023 | 64 | 48 |
2024 | 69 | 42 |
2025 | 67 | 46 |
Q: What is the ranking of University of California Santa Barbara in comparison to University of California Riverside?
According to the QS, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #178 and University of California Riverside ranks at #497 under the category of “QS World University Rankings 2025”. The comparative rankings of University of California Santa Barbara and University of California Riverside are given as follows:
Year | University of California Santa Barbara | University of California Riverside |
---|---|---|
2023 | 149 | 453 |
2024 | 163 | 404 |
2025 | 178 | 497 |
UCSBUniversity Ranking
Shiksha
#36US News Ranking
#39ARWU Ranking
#64THE Ranking
#67QS Ranking
#178UCSBCourse Ranking

University of California Santa Barbara US News & World Report Rankings 2025
US News & World Report is among the top ranking publishers in the world. The ranking publisher is known for its National, Global, Subject-based, and Regional rankings. US News & World Report evaluates various factors when considering top university for rankings. Some important factors include books, conferences, normalized citation impact, total citations, number of publications among the 10% most cited, percentage of total publications among the 10% most cited, international collaborati
US News & World Report is among the top ranking publishers in the world. The ranking publisher is known for its National, Global, Subject-based, and Regional rankings. US News & World Report evaluates various factors when considering top university for rankings. Some important factors include books, conferences, normalized citation impact, total citations, number of publications among the 10% most cited, percentage of total publications among the 10% most cited, international collaboration - relative to country, international collaboration, and more.
As per US News & World Report, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #39 under the category of “Best Global Universities 2025”. In 2024, University of California Santa Barbara was ranked at #35. Showing a downshift in ranking with #4 position in comparison to previous year’s ranking. Students can check the ranking of University of California Santa Barbara under various categories that are given below:
Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
Global Universities | 67 | 89 | – / – |
National University | 32 | 35 | 39 |
Chemical Engineering PG | 11 | 13 | – / – |
Electrical Engineering PG | 23 | 26 | – / – |
Mechanical Engineering PG | 33 | 27 | – / – |
UG Electrical-Electronic and Communications Engineering | 25 | – / – | – / – |
Commonly asked questions On UCSB US News & World Report Ranking
Q: Where does the University of California Santa Barbara rank globally?
The University of California Santa Barbara is among the top universities for continuing higher education in USA. According to US News & World Report, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #39 under the “Best National Universities 2025”. Also, UC Santa Barbara ranks at #13 in the “Top Public School” and #200 in “Best Value Schools”. Moreover, the University of California Santa Barbara more ranking by US News & World Report is listed below:
Particulars | Rank |
---|---|
Overall Score | 79 |
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs | #35 |
Economics | #43 |
Best Colleges for Veterans | #20 |
Top Performers on Social Mobility | #20 |
Q: Does the University of California Santa Barbara rank better than the UC Los Angeles?
The University of California Santa Barbara and UC Los Angeles both are some of the best universities in USA. According to US News & World Report, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #39 and the UC Los Angeles ranks at #15 under the category of “Best National Universities 2025”. Check the table listed below for UC Santa Barbara and UC Los Angeles ranking over the past years:
Year | University of California Santa Barbara | UC Los Angeles |
---|---|---|
2023 | 32 | 20 |
2024 | 35 | NA |
2025 | 39 | 15 |

University of California Santa Barbara QS Rankings 2025
QS is known for offering the “World University Ranking” to top universities worldwide. Since 2004, QS is releasing the report for over 1,500 universities. A few of the parameters that used for ranking evaluation by QS include Academic Reputation, Employment Outcomes, Employer Reputation, International Research Network, etc.
According to QS Ranking, University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #178 under the “World University Rankings 2025”. As compared to previous year’s ranking, UC Santa Ba
QS is known for offering the “World University Ranking” to top universities worldwide. Since 2004, QS is releasing the report for over 1,500 universities. A few of the parameters that used for ranking evaluation by QS include Academic Reputation, Employment Outcomes, Employer Reputation, International Research Network, etc.
According to QS Ranking, University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #178 under the “World University Rankings 2025”. As compared to previous year’s ranking, UC Santa Barbara was ranked at #163 in 2024. This indicates that the university has lost #15 position. Check the comparison listed below for University of California Santa Barbara ranking by QS under various categories:
Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
Sustainability | – / – | – / – | 396 |
World University | 149 | 163 | 178 |
Architecture and Built Environment | 201 | – / – | – / – |
Biological Sciences | 151 | 148 | – / – |
Communication and Media Studies | 29 | 36 | – / – |
Engineering and Technology | 132 | 132 | – / – |
Mathematics | 151 | 201 | – / – |
Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering | 101 | 143 | – / – |
Medicine | 401 | 451 | – / – |
Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 201 | 201 | – / – |
Physics and Astronomy | 18 | 22 | – / – |
Politics | 201 | 201 | – / – |
Sociology | 201 | 201 | – / – |
Commonly asked questions On UCSB QS Ranking
Q: What is the University of California Santa Barbara QS ranking?
The University of California Santa Barbara is among the top choices of international students in USA for continuing higher studies. The University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #178 under the category of “World University Rankings 2025”. Also, UC Santa Barbara ranks at #22 under the “QS WUR Ranking by Subject”. Moreover, the university also ranks at #396 in the “QS Sustainability Ranking”. Check the table listed below for UC Santa Barbara ranking over the past 3 years:
University Name | QS World University Ranking 2023 | QS World University Ranking 2024 | QS World University Ranking 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
UC Santa Barbara | #149 | #163 | #178 |
Q: Which university ranks better in the QS rankings - University of California Santa Barbara or UC Riverside?
The University of California Santa Barbara and UC Riverside are some of the most esteemed universities in USA. According to QS, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #178 under the category of “World University Rankings 2025”. Whereas, University of California Riverside ranks at #497 under the “World University Rankings 2025”. Check the table listed below for QS rankings of both the universities over the past years:
University Name | QS World University Ranking 2023 | QS World University Ranking 2024 | QS World University Ranking 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
UC Santa Barbara | #149 | #163 | #178 |
UC Riverside | #453 | #404 | #497 |

University of California Santa Barbara THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking 2025
Times Higher Education is popularly known as THE is renowned for its “World University Rankings”. THE evaluates various factors when ranking the top universities in the world. A few essential factors include: Research, International Outlook, Citations, etc. Some major ranking released by THE annually include World University Rankings, Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Clinical and Health, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Law, etc.
According to THE, the University of Californi
Times Higher Education is popularly known as THE is renowned for its “World University Rankings”. THE evaluates various factors when ranking the top universities in the world. A few essential factors include: Research, International Outlook, Citations, etc. Some major ranking released by THE annually include World University Rankings, Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Clinical and Health, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Law, etc.
According to THE, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #67 under the category of “World University Rankings 2025”. UC Santa Barbara was ranked at #69 in 2024. This means the university has achieved #2 positions as compared to last year’s ranking. Check the table listed below for University of California Santa Barbara rankings over the past years:
Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
University | 64 | 69 | 67 |
Arts and Humanities | 82 | 83 | 84 |
Engineering | 43 | 46 | 47 |
Life Sciences | 73 | 101 | 101 |
PG Computer Science | 60 | 65 | 62 |
Psychology | 57 | 74 | 80 |
Commonly asked questions On UCSB THE (Times Higher Education) Ranking
Q: What is the University of California Santa Barbara ranking in Times Higher Education rankings?
According to the Times Higher Education (THE), the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #67 under the category of “World University Rankings 2025”. Moreover, the UC Santa Barbara popular programs are also ranked by THE such as Arts and Humanities at #84, Computer Science #62, Engineering #47, Life Science #101-125, and more. Students can check the table listed below for the parameters that are evaluated by THE while ranking UC Santa Barbara:
Parameters | Score Achieved |
---|---|
Overall | 72.7 |
Teaching | 49.6 |
Research Environment | 65.5 |
Research Quality | 96.7 |
Industry | 96.8 |
International Outlook | 81.9 |
Q: What are the criteria used by Times Higher Education (THE) for ranking the UC Santa Barbara in the world?
The University of California Santa Barbara is one of the most reputed universities in United States. UC Santa Barbara is highly appreciated by international students for offering the best academic programs. The university is one of the highest ranked universities in the world. According to THE, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks at #67 under the “World University Rankings 2025”. Furthermore, check the table listed below for the parameters that are evaluated by THE while ranking UC Santa Barbara:
Parameters | Score Achieved |
---|---|
Overall | 72.7 |
Teaching | 49.6 |
Research Environment | 65.5 |
Research Quality | 96.7 |
Industry | 96.8 |
International Outlook | 81.9 |

UCSBARWU (Shanghai Ranking) Ranking 2024
Ranked by | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
---|---|---|---|
Universities | 57 | 63 | 64 |
Law | – / – | 201 | 201 |
Mathematics | 101 | 101 | 101 |
Physics | 13 | 15 | 13 |
Political Sciences | 51 | 51 | 101 |
Sociology | 76 | 101 | 76 |
UCSBStudents Ratings & Reviews
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UCSB
Student Forum
Answered a week 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 6
Answered 4 months 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
Answered 4 months ago
The University of California, Santa Barbara offers an MBA program in Economics for international students. The cost of studying MBA (first year) is around INR 25 L and the duration of the program is 9 months. Mentioned below are the admission criteria to study MBA at the university:
- Complete a bachel
Answered 4 months ago
The UCSB acceptance rate is around 33%, which makes admission moderately competitive for international students. Therefore, it may be difficult to get admission to the University of California, Santa Barbara for applicants. They must meet all the entry requirements and submit the application by the
Answered 8 months ago
University of California Santa Barbara is a competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 26%. This figure tells us that only 26 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is less than half of all the applicants. However, students must note get
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