

UC Santa Barbara: Ranking, Acceptance Rate, Cost, & Admissions 2024
1055 acre campus
- Estd. 1891
UC Santa Barbara Ranking 2026
University of California, Santa Barbara is among the best ranking institutions in the United States, securing a country-level rank of #36 as part of Shiksha Popularity Rankings. Another major ranking platform ranks it #39 as part of its National University Rankings 2025.
As far as global rankings go, the institute secures a rank of #178 as part of the World University Rankings 2025 given by a prominent ranking platform.
Its courses also perform well as part of Shiksha's rankings, as given below:
Course | Ranking |
---|---|
MS | #44 |
B.E./B.Tech | #43 |
MFA | #26 |
M.A. | #33 |
M.Arch | #43 |
LL.M. | #175 |
Others PG | #149 |
#122
#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 ranks #178 as part of the World University Rankings 2025 given by a popular university ranking platform, placing it among some of the best higher educational institutes in the US & globally.
The institute's rank declined from the previous year, when it secured a rank of #163, however, it still continues to maintain its status as a solid option for higher studies from abroad.
On a national-level, the institute ranks #36 as part of Popularity Rankings given out by Shiksha.
UC Santa Barbara Programs
UC Santa Barbara is renowned 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. Some of 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 |

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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.
When we look at the rankings of both University of California, Santa Barbara and California College of Arts, we can decifer which one is the better uiversity for students who are seeking admission to BTech courses. As per the QS rankings, California College of the Arts. On the other hand, the University of California, Santa Barbara is renowned for its offerings in the fields of arts, science, and engineering. According to THE (Times Higher Education), in 2023, it stands at the 64th position in the global university rankings. Over the past few years, the University of California, Santa Barbara has consistently maintained a place among the world's top-ranked universities in THE (Times Higher Education).
This can give you a better understanding of how the two American universities compare. It's recommended for students to do their own research by checking the college's official website, prospectus, or talking to the college administration or current students. These sources will offer the most accurate and current information about the unique features, facilities, partnerships, and other aspects that distinguish each university from others.
UC Santa Barbara Admissions 2026
UC Santa Barbara offers admissions in the Fall and Spring intakes every year. The admissions deadline will vary from program to program. Therefore, international students should check the admission deadlines before applying to UC Santa Barbara. The University of California, Santa Barbara admissions are done on a rolling basis. A graphical represenation of UG admission process at UC Santa Barbara is listed below:
Admission Deadline 2025
International students should check the admission deadlines before applying for their course at the University of California Santa Barbara. UCSB application deadline for international students are given as follows:
Event | Date |
---|---|
Fall 2025 | Closed |
MBA 2026 | Dec 1, 2025 |
UG Fall 2026 | Dec 2, 2025 |
Admission Requirements for International Students
The minimum admission requirements for international students will vary from course to course. UC Santa Barbara admission requirements for international students are given as follows:
- Completion of All India Senior School Certificate
- Higher Secondary School Certificate with a minimum 70%
- Completion of 10th and 12th year Board or State Examinations
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- SAT/ACT scores
For Graduate applicants, the requirements are given as follows:
- Online application
- Transcripts
- SOP/ Personal History
- Resume/CV
- Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores
English Langauge Requirements
The English language requirements for international students at UC Santa Barbara is as follows:
Type of Tests | Minimum Score Requirements |
---|---|
TOEFL | 80 |
IELTS | 6.5 |
Duolingo | 115 or higher |
Acceptance Rate
University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate stands at 27% - 33%, for international students. This makes it competive for students to get admitted at UCSB.
Application Fee
University of California Santa Barbara application fee for international students is USD 95 (INR 8,212).
Conversion used: USD 1 - IND 86.45
- Application fees :USD 140 - 155
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The University of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of around 29% for international students.The university Admission process involves a thorough evaluation process, Considering academic excellence, essays, Letter of recommendation, SOP, extracurricular activities and many more. Applicants are suggested to approach the admission process with utter dedication, showcasing their strengths and talents to get into UCSB. Beyond the numerical, the university is a good choice for pursuing courses and degrees with an exceptional education and renowned faculty.
The University of California, Santa Barbara's Fall application deadline for international students for 2025 is Dec 2, 2025. However, the university offers admission on a rolling basis. That means applicants can apply throughout the year.
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 BarbaraUC Santa Barbara Scholarships
UC Santa Barbara offers various scholarships and financial aid programs to international students. The scholarships are based on the merit and the financial needs of the students. Some scholarships and awards offered to international students are:
- Deans’ Award for Outstanding Senior – This award is offered to graduating seniors in the College of Letters and Science for outstanding performance.
- Frances Colville and Terry Dearborn Memorial Award – This is awarded to students with academic achievements in Mathematical, Life, or Physical Science majors programs.
- Luis Lean Social Sciences Undergraduate Award – This award is given to students for outstanding academic achievement in a Social Sciences major program.
- William R. Reardon Undergraduate Award - This award is given to students for academic achievement in Humanities and Fine Arts majors at UC Santa Barbara.
UC Santa BarbaraStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 7% 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 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.
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
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
Study in the USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
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 FAQs
International students who are studying undergraduate or graduate programmes at the University of California, Santa Barbara can enrol in on or off-campus part-time jobs. International students who are studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara and looking for part-time jobs are required to have a mandatory legal work permit. If international students have a legal permit to work, then they are allowed to work for 20 hours, simultaneously studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The University of California, Santa Barbara offers various on-campus jobs and internship opportunities to students. Students can log in to the university's portal and can look for on-campus job opportunities. Furthermore, the University of California, Santa Barbara organises job fairs at the beginning of the semester, for students to explore part-time job opportunities while studying.
UC Santa Barbara
Student Forum
Answered 4 months ago
UCSB acceptance rate stands at 29.56% as of Fall 2024. This means that out of every 100 students who apply to the UC Santa Barbara admissions, the university is likely to offer the opportunity to enroll at the UCSB campus to only 29-30 students, making the admission criteria of the university rather
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 months ago
Both UCSB & UIUC are among the highly ranked institutions in the United States. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the universities are selective at picking students for admissions to its courses. The University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate stands at around 29% while that of Universit
A
Contributor-Level 10
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
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
Answered a year 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
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University of California, Santa Barbara
Student Resource Building, Room 3130
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
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