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Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Large · Suburban
Admitted students who enroll
How much the school says contact matters
Source: UC published admissions policy, checked 2026-08-30. Schools can change a date after publishing, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 696 | $107,948 | $82,686 |
| Sociology | 692 | $59,183 | $52,657 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 650 | $66,321 | $55,695 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 620 | $73,857 | $56,359 |
| Biology, General | 391 | $76,068 | $57,214 |
| Statistics | 355 | $110,783 | $92,425 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 338 | $66,752 | $55,012 |
| Political Science and Government | 322 | $73,638 | $63,293 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at University of California, Santa Barbara.
This school does not look at SAT or ACT scores. Do not spend time on testing for it.
4 supplementals
Heavy supplemental load - start early.
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
Typical: 1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations
Most selective colleges follow this pattern. Confirm exact requirements on the school's admissions site - some require a specific subject teacher (e.g., STEM programs may want a math/science rec).
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$80
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
Sticker price means almost nothing. University of California, Santa Barbara's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.We don't have a confirmed URL for this school - the link below opens a search that almost always lands on the right page.
Open University of California, Santa Barbara's Net Price CalculatorPrompts not yet curated for University of California, Santa Barbara
We curate supplemental prompts for the most-applied-to schools and refresh annually each August. This school isn't in our curated list yet.
For the current prompts, check the school's admissions site directly or open the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$50,614
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$50,614
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$202,456
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
15%
Religious Affiliation
None
Debt-to-Income
29.3%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$429,544
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Deadline / RD: November 30, 2026
78 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: UC Application
Supplemental Essays: 4
Interview: Not Offered
Recommendation letters needed
Test free: scores are not considered
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| English Language and Literature, General | 184 | $58,240 | $48,590 |
| Applied Mathematics | 184 | $109,292 | $91,532 |
| Physics | 183 | $104,149 | $76,786 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 174 | $52,687 | $43,765 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.