A
Excellent
Score: 80/100

University of California-Santa Barbara

4-Year Public
📍 Santa Barbara, California 93106
🌐 www.ucsb.edu/
Outcomes
A+
90/100
Affordability
C+
61/100
Resources
B
72/100
Experience
A+
93/100
Prestige
A
83/100

Quick Stats

26,068
Total Enrollment
85%
Graduation Rate
92%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
28%
Acceptance Rate
$15,283
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near University of California-Santa Barbara ▼

54% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 14,181 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$0
For parents & investors

The University of California-Santa Barbara Town Property Report

  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 93117 (2.2% cap, Goleta)

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🏆 Where University of California-Santa Barbara Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥈
Communication, General
of 100 schools
🥈
Experimental Psychology
of 25 schools
🥈
Environmental Studies
of 100 schools
🥉
Sociology, General
of 100 schools
🥉
Statistics, General
of 74 schools
🥉
Film/Cinema/Media Studies
of 56 schools
#4
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
of 100 schools
#7
Political Science and Government, General
of 100 schools
#9
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
of 100 schools
#24
Computer Science
of 100 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $11,834 $42,611
Total Cost (On-Campus) $40,587 $71,364

Financial Aid

58%
Receive Any Aid
28%
Receive Pell Grants
24%
Take Out Loans
$15,283
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$7,745
$30,001 - $48,000$8,910
$48,001 - $75,000$11,398
$75,001 - $110,000$16,839
$110,001+$30,085

Student Demographics

26,068
Total Students
56%
Women
96%
Traditional Age (18-24)
54%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 32%
Hispanic 25%
Black 2%
Asian 18%
Two or More 8%
Non-Resident 12%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 46%
Off-Campus (Renters) 54%
With Family 0%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~14,181 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 92%
Hybrid (Some Online) 8%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 96%
25-64 (Adult) 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 28%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend University of California-Santa Barbara?
Tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara is $11,834 for in-state students and $42,611 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $15,283.
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?
The graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara is 85%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara a good school?
University of California-Santa Barbara has a Repit College Score of 80/100 (Grade: A). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (A): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of California-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara has a total enrollment of 26,068 students. Most students (96%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near University of California-Santa Barbara?
Yes! Approximately 54% of students at University of California-Santa Barbara live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 14,181 students who need rental housing near campus. This represents significant rental demand, which affects housing availability and pricing in the Santa Barbara area.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for University of California-Santa Barbara — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to University of California-Santa Barbara

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

A
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · 42,376 students
A
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · 36,582 students
A
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · 45,699 students
B+
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · 22,485 students
A+
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · 46,678 students
B+
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · 39,707 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology