University of California-Santa Barbara

Acceptance rate (most recent year)

33.0%

Applicants (fall 2023)

110,871

Admitted (fall 2023)

30,804

Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)

5,043

Yield (admitted who enroll)

16%

Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)

30%

Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)

25%

SAT reading, middle 50%

—

SAT math, middle 50%

—

ACT composite, middle 50%

—

Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT

— / —

High school GPA

required

High school class rank

not considered

High school record (transcript)

required

College-prep program completed

required

Recommendations

not considered

Demonstration of competencies

not considered

SAT/ACT scores

not considered

English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)

required

Other test

not considered

Work experience

not considered

Personal statement or essay

required

Legacy status

not considered

“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.

Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.

Full sticker price (per year)

$41,573

Tuition & fees – in-state

$16,414

Tuition & fees – out-of-state

$50,614

Median debt at graduation

$13,993

Students with federal loans

18%

Graduate within 6 years

83%

Freshmen who return for year 2

93%

Median earnings, 1 year after graduating

$38,259

Median earnings, 10 years after starting

$74,915

Undergraduates

23,113

Graduate students

2,952

Student-to-faculty ratio

17 : 1

Women

58%

Students receiving Pell grants

28%

Full-time faculty

90%

Chancellor

Henry T Yang

Main phone

(805) 893-8000

Address

5221 Cheadle Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

Apply with

Own application

Application fee

$80 (waivers available)

SAT/ACT

Not considered

Essays

UC Personal Insight Questions: answer 4 of 8 (max 350 words each)

Recommendations

Not required or read at application (UC Application)

Testing: SAT/ACT not used in admission or scholarship decisions; may be used for course placement

Financial aid policies

• FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
• Merit scholarships: Regents Scholarship: $5,000/year for four years; all admitted freshmen considered automatically
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers UC tuition for CA residents with family income up to $80,000

Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)

Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted

25,713 / 18,022 / 9,603