University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
The University of California, Santa Barbara is a public university in CA, founded in 1909, and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 23,196, the graduate enrollment is 2,983, and the university is highly selective, accepting 29.6% of applicants. The University of California, Santa Barbara’s athletics teams compete at the intramural and varsity level, and the institution employs 1,097 full-time instructional staff with a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
74
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to the University of California, Santa Barbara will apply through the University of California UC Application. Applicants will be required to write four responses of their choosing from the eight prompts provided. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Regular Application Deadline
November 30th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Extracurricular Activities - Considered
- Character/Personal Qualities - Considered
- Application Essay - Very Important
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Important
Average Acceptance Rate
29.60%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
48.00%
STUDENT LIFE
The University of California, Santa Barbara, shares proximity with the Pacific coastline and Santa Ynez Mountains. It is one of the few universities in the United States with a beach and a designated path for walking and bicycling. UCSB campus comprises over ten significant buildings on 989 acres in a quiet, suburban setting. The University is separated into two main campuses; the West campus and the East campus. The East campus houses most of the University’s facilities, including all lecture halls and laboratories. The West campus is used for faculty housing and leased out to other private organizations.
Housing
- 34% of students live on campus
- Priority housing for freshmen
The University has eight residence halls for undergraduates and four housing complexes for graduate students. With seven residence halls, the main campus hall is separated into two different locations. The halls on the East end are named after five of the Channel Islands, while the other two located on the West Side are for housing transfer and continuing students.
Although students are not mandated to live in University housing, those who stay on campus have access to 24-hour security, student security patrol, crime and rape prevention programs, legal advice, psychological counseling, and a center for women, among many other special services. Private resident halls are also available for students who prefer to live outside the campus.
Life as a Student
With a 17:1 faculty-to-student ratio, the University boasts a sound educational system. But, UCSB is also known for its high-impact research programs, dynamic social culture, and cutting-edge scholarship; it is also a politically active school with active political organizations such as the College Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians, and College Republicans. Additionally, life as a UCSB student is not all about work. Instead, there are various on and off-campus centers offering social, religious, recreational, and other extracurricular activities that you can immerse yourself in.
The USCB Recreational Center provides facilities for students and faculty to use. The University also provides primary healthcare and emergency medicine for students seeking medical attention. For the University of California Santa Barbara, academic excellence, socialization, health, and security are essential aspects that help create a vibrant community.
TOP MAJORS
Sociology
Economics
Research and Experimental Psychology
Communications
Biology
International Studies
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Student security patrol
- Late night ride/safe escort
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Bowling
Basketball
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Bowling
Basketball
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Field Hockey
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Intramural
Intramural
Badminton
Bowling
Basketball
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Badminton
Bowling
Basketball
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The University of California, Santa Barbara students can benefit from the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, a financial aid plan in which undergraduates with a family income of up to $80,000 who meet other eligibility requirements receive grants and/or scholarships to cover in-state base tuition and fees.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition - $13,104
- Campus-Based Fees - $1,881
- Books and Supplies - $1,344
- Loan Fees - $60
- Room and Board - $16,515
- Personal Expenses - $1,440
- Non-Resident Tuition Fee (Out-of-State Only) - $31,026
- Estimated Cost of Attendance (Resident) -$38,349, (Out-of-State) - $69,375
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
The University of California Santa Barbara was founded in 1909 as the Anna Blake School in Santa Barbara, California, and is the third-oldest undergraduate campus in the system. The University got its initial name from Anna S. C. Blake, who created the eponymous school in 1891. The school became the Santa Barbara State Normal School and was later changed to Santa Barbara State College after the state took over in 1921. In 1944, a group of people led by the American journalist Thomas More Storke and Pearl Chase took up the motion and persuaded the State Legislature to move the school to the University of California, a more research-based system. The name was officially changed from Santa Barbara College to its current name: “University of California, Santa Barbara.”
UCSB is ranked #30 in National Universities, #13 in Best College for Veterans, and #56 in Best Global Universities. The University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,196 and a graduate enrollment of 2,983. It is widely known as a selective school, with an acceptance rate of 29.6%. Students accepted into UCSB can look forward to getting the best of academic and social life, on and off-campus. UCSB boasts Emmy Award winners, Field Medalists, 39 National Academy of Science members, and ten Nobel Laureates from this noble and prestigious institution throughout its history.
UC Gauchos, the University’s athletic team, competes at the intramural and varsity level and has won championship titles in the 1979 men’s water polo, 1962 men’s swimming, women’s outdoor track and field, and the 2006 men’s soccer, among many more over the years. Notable alumni from UCSB include the Emmy award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, Steve Aoki, Jerry Trainor, Jose M. Hernandez, Cody Walker, and Nobel Laureate Carol Greider. The University of California’s official motto is “Fiat Lux,” which translates to “Let there be light.”