How much does University of California-Santa Barbara really cost?
A clear guide to the real cost: net price by income, tuition, scholarships and financial aid.
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university in Santa Barbara, CA. The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $9,231 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)).
What University of California-Santa Barbara really costs, by family income
Admission, cost and graduation: three facts and three steps
- Admission: University of California-Santa Barbara admitted about 28 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate). BCA guidance: review requirements and deadlines, and build a balanced list of options (safety, match and reach).
- Cost: The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $9,231 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)). BCA guidance: file the FAFSA on time and compare the net price of several options before deciding.
- Graduation: About 86 % complete their program within 150% of normal time (IPEDS graduation rate). BCA guidance: confirm the funding covers every year of the program and check your major's graduation rate, not just the overall one.
Want to understand what this means for your child?
In our free 6-Tips presentation we show you how to build a real strategy for admissions, scholarships and financial aid at U.S. universities.
What University of California-Santa Barbara really looks at to admit (per its Common Data Set)
University of California-Santa Barbara admitted about 28 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate). Its Common Data Set states which factors it considers for admission.
What it DOES consider
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Application essay
- Activities & leadership
- Character & personal qualities
- Special talent or ability
- Being first-generation
- Work experience
- Volunteer work
- State of residence
- Region of the country
What it does NOT consider
- ×Test scores (SAT/ACT)
- ×Recommendation letters
- ×Interview
- ×Alumni relation (legacy)
- ×Demonstrated interest
- ×Class rank
- ×Religious affiliation
University of California-Santa Barbara alumni with a public source
Real people who studied here, with a name and a public source. Each card links to its source.
Granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and daughter of a machinist and an office manager, Yvett Merino studied sociology at UC Santa Barbara and started out as a social worker before joining Disney in temp roles. Years later she produced the film 'Encanto' and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Michael Douglas earned his B.A. in dramatic art from UC Santa Barbara in 1968. Over his career he won two Academy Awards and became one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors and producers.
The plan: what to do by grade level
9th–10th grade
Build the base: challenging classes, a solid GPA, deep activities and study habits.
11th grade
Strategy: this institution reports that it does not consider SAT/ACT (test-blind), so there is no need to send them; build a balanced list of options, start your essays and prepare scholarships and the FAFSA.
12th grade
Execution: meet deadlines, finish essays and letters, submit the FAFSA, apply and compare aid offers.
If already applied
Understand the aid letters, compare the real net price across options and confirm funding for every year.
Sticker and net price
The published cost of attendance is $40,587 a year (IPEDS 2023–24). The average net price —cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships— is the figure the income table compares. They are two different numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to attend University of California-Santa Barbara?
It depends on your family's income. The published cost of attendance is $40,587 a year (IPEDS 2023–24). The average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income, is in the table above.
What is the average net price at University of California-Santa Barbara for family income $0–$30,000?
The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $9,231 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)). Compare that net price with other options.
Are there Latino students at University of California-Santa Barbara?
About 25 % of its students are Hispanic or Latino (total enrollment, fall 2023).
Is it hard to get into University of California-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara admitted about 28 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate).
Do students finish at University of California-Santa Barbara?
About 86 % complete their program within 150% of normal time (IPEDS graduation rate).
Does this aid apply to mixed-status families or students without an SSN?
It depends on the institution and the state. Ask the institution's financial aid office and the state's student aid agency directly.
Want to understand what this means for your child?
For families with high school students
Sources & methodology
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education / NCES (net price by income, admissions, cost, graduation, demographics).
- Common Data Set 2024-25 (section C7, admission factors).
- The university's official net price calculator.
- Net price: IPEDS 2023-24, provisional release (COST2_2024)
- Admissions: IPEDS fall 2023 (ADM2023)
- Graduation: IPEDS 2017 cohort, 150% of time (GR2023, final revised release)
- Pell Grant: IPEDS 2022-23 (SFA2223)
- Demographics: IPEDS fall 2023 (EF2023A)
Data definitions
- Admit rate
- Share of first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate applicants who were admitted (IPEDS ADM2023, fall 2023).
- Graduation rate
- Share of the adjusted 2017 total cohort of full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates (bachelor's or other degree/certificate) who completed a degree or certificate within 150% of normal time (IPEDS GR2023, final revised release, GRRTTOT).
- Hispanic or Latino students
- Share of total enrollment reported as Hispanic or Latino (IPEDS EF2023A, fall 2023).
- Pell Grant
- Share of undergraduates awarded a Pell Grant, the federal grant for low-income students (IPEDS SFA2223, 2022–23).
- Net price by family income
- Average net price: cost of attendance minus average grant or scholarship aid (federal, state or local government, or institutional), for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS COST2_2024, 2023–24, provisional release, NPIS4x2).
- Average net price (all incomes)
- Average net price: cost of attendance minus average grant or scholarship aid, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying in-state or in-district tuition awarded grant or scholarship aid from the federal government, state or local government, or the institution (IPEDS COST2_2024, 2023–24, provisional release, NPIST2).
- Published cost of attendance
- Tuition, fees, books, room and board and other expenses for full-time, first-time undergraduates living on campus, at the in-state tuition rate (IPEDS IC2023_AY, 2023–24).