UC Santa Barbara is a highly rated public university in the United States and it is a large institution with an enrollment of 23,232 undergraduate students. The school admissions is a littile competitive as the UCSB acceptance rate is 25%, and the Early Action acceptance rate is 28.0%. For UC Santa Barbara’s transfer acceptance rate, it was 61.8%. For Fall 2026 admission, the UC application opens on August 1st, and the submission deadline is November 30th. This blog is the most complete introduction to everything about the University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate.
About UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara offers a dynamic environment that prizes academic inquiry and interpersonal connection to inspire scholarly ambition, creativity, and discoveries with wide-ranging impact. There are 200-plus majors, degrees and credential, the School of Engineering excels, with materials engineering and chemical engineering among the top 20 in the United States. In addition, the physics program is also among the top in the world, including quantum physics and astrophysics. What’s more, the Marine Biology program has a unique advantage, with the advantage of being near the sea, relying on the Institute of Marine Science, in-depth research in marine ecology, marine resource development, and the development of marine resources. The table offers some things to know about UC Santa Barbara.
| UC Santa Barbara Facts and Figures | |
|---|---|
| Establishment | 1981 |
| 24-25 American’s Top Colleges | #8 Public University by Forbes Magazine |
| 2025 Best College | #13 Public University by U.S. News and World Ranking |
| Shiksha Ranking | #36 in USA by Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
| Location | Santa Barbara, California, USA |
| On-Campus Enrollment | 246,370 |
| Top 3 Majors | Social Sciences | Mathematics| Psychology |
| Acceptance Rate | Around 27% |
| Public or Private | Public University |
| Total Programs | 200+ |
| Total College or Schools | 5 |
| Faculty won Nobel Prize | 6 |
| Student-to-Faculty-Ratio | 18:1 |
| Annual Tuition and Fees | in-state: $15,460 out-of-state: $47,755 |
| Cost of Attendance | in-state: $35,152 out-of-state: $65,929 |
What is the Current UCSB Acceptance Rate?
For the Class of 2025(applying for Fall 2024), UCSB’s acceptance rate was approximately 25%. According to statistics, 30,000+ first-year applications were received for fall 2024, only ? students were offered admission. By gender, men students’ acceptance rate is 45.2% and women students’ rate is 54.8%.
Average UCSB Acceptance Rate (10 Years)
The following table illustrate the acceptance rates changes at University of California-Santa Barbara over the past 10 years (2014-2024). The statistics show that a general decline in UCSB acceptance rates from 2018 to 2027, indicating increasing selectivity at UCSB.
| UC Santa Barbara Class Year | Overall Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Not Yet Released |
| Class of 2028 | 27.78% |
| Class of 2027 | 25.85% |
| Class of 2026 | 29.00% |
| Class of 2025 | 36.70% |
| Class of 2024 | 29.56% |
| Class of 2023 | 32.20% |
| Class of 2022 | 32.81% |
| Class of 2021 | 35.77% |
| Class of 2020 | 32.64% |
| Class of 2019 | 36.34% |
| Class of 2018 | 44.44% |
The University of California Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate and Application Trends
From the table, we can see the highest UCSB acceptance rate was 44.44% in 2018, while the lowest was 25.85% in 2027. This trend reflects the growing competitiveness of admissions at UCSB over the past decade, and UCSB’s first-year applications have increased year-over-year.
As the acceptance rate of UC Santa Barbara has been declining for the past ten years, applicants must stand out from the increasingly competitive pool of candidates by showcasing your unique strengths, accomplishments, and prepare a compelling personal statement can significantly enhance their chances of securing admission to UC Santa Barbara despite the challenging acceptance rates.
Out-of-State vs. In-State UCSB Admission Rates
While the acceptance rate of UC Santa Barbara for in-state vs out-of-state isn’t typically released publicly, the UC Santa Barbara’s acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants is known to be lower than the acceptance rate for in-state applicants. This trend is common among public universities, as they prioritize admitting students from their home state.
But the gap is usually little, usually less than 5 points. In other words, California residents have similar chances of acceptance at the university with out-of-state students.This trend is common among public universities, as they prioritize admitting students from their home state.
UCSB Acceptance Rate by Major
Selective majors in UC Santa Barbara include all biology, mathematics, economics, and physics majors, with acceptance rates potentially lower than the overall UCSB acceptance rate. Here is a more detailed breakdown of UCSB acceptance rate by major.
| University of California, Santa Barbara Majors | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 27% |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 10% |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 9% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Communication,Journalism,and Related Programs | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 5% |
| Physical Sciences | 5% |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | 5% |
| Foreign Languages,Literatures, and Linguistics | 3% |
| Engineering | 3% |
UCSB Admissions: What You Need to get into UCSB
| GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students | |
|---|---|
| High School GPA | 4.04 – 4.28 |
| ACT Composite Score | 26 – 31 |
| ACT English Language Arts | 27 – 34 |
| SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 630 – 730 |
| SAT Mathematics | 650 – 790 |
| SAT Essay | 15 – 18 |
The application deadline to submit the online university application at UC Santa Barbara is Aug 1, 2025 with an application fee of $80.
The acceptance rate at UCSB is 25%, which indicates that UCSB is a selective institution with a lower acceptance rate. Take a look at UCSB admission statistics and evaluate your chances of getting into the school.
The average GPA at UCSB is 4.3. If your GPA is at or below this average, having a higher SAT or ACT score can help compensate for a GPA that is not significantly above the average.
The average SAT score composite at UCSB is 1355 out of 1600. Scoring a 1480 or above on the SAT will significantly boost your chances of getting accepted.
The average ACT score at UCSB is 29. A score of 32 or higher on the ACT will also increase your likelihood of being admitted to UCSB.
In summary, to increase your chances of getting accepted to UCSB, it is recommended to aim for a GPA higher than the average of 4.3 and to achieve a higher SAT score or ACT score. These scores will make your application more competitive in the admissions process given the UC Santa Barbara’s acceptance rate and average scores.
UC Santa Barbara Tuition
| Category | Undergraduates at Residence Hall Cost | Undergraduates at Off-Campua Housing Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,104 | $13,104 |
| Campus fees | $1,971 | $1,971 |
| Book and Supplies | $1,380 | $1,380 |
| Living Expenses | $19,623 | $15,864 |
| Transporfation Cost | $927 | $1,395 |
| UC Student Health insurance | $3,762 | $3,762 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,145 | $2,304 |
| Phone | $324 | $267 |
| fotal (CA Resident) | $43,236 | $40,047 |
| Non-Resident Supplementel Tuition | $31,062 | $31,062 |
| Total (Non-Resident) | $74,262 | $71,073 |
As a public university, UCSB tuition and fees are more affordable for CA residents, for our-of-state students, you could apply financial aid, there are over 60% of UCSB students receive financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Besides, UCSB offers merit-based scholarships, including the Regents Scholarship and Chancellor’s Scholarship, which provide significant financial support and additional perks like priority registration.
Moreover, if you are a UC resident, there are Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is a financial aid program offered by the University of California (UC) system, ensures that students from low- and middle-income families can afford a UC education, promoting equity and access. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the program, here is the eligibility criteria of the plan:
California Residency: The plan is available to California residents only.
Income Threshold: Students must come from families with an annual household income of $80,000 or less.
Financial Need: Students must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application.
Full-Time Enrollment: Students must be enrolled full-time (12+ units per quarter) to qualify.
UC Santa Barbara Student Housing
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State Santa Barbara, Solis Isla Vista, Breakpointe Coronado, Arrive Los Carneros, and ICON Santa Barbara are some of the best student housing near UCSB campus. With various options like 1-4 bedroom apartments, studios, and shared rooms, user-friendly filters, tailored interiors, bespoke finishes and a collection of styled amenities, indoor-outdoor spaces, sun-splashed pool, lavish social spaces and dedicated study areas, our off-campus apartments near UCSB are sought-after by students.
uhomes.com makes it effortless for students to find your perfect UC Santa Barbara housing, contact us to get personalized recommendations.
UCSB Diversity and Campus Life
UC Santa Barbara, just like the other UC schools, welcomes international applicants. Currently, the school’s students come from 107 different countries worldwide, which means UCSB students have the opportunities to build connections with people from various backgrounds, which can be valuable for personal and professional growth. Knowing the demographic also helps students from assess whether they will feel welcome and supported on campus.
| Ethnicity/Race | UCSB Enrollment (%) |
|---|---|
| White | 31.90% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 23.60% |
| Asian | 17.80% |
| Two or More Races | 7.78% |
| Black or African American | 2.06% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0.15% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders | 0.10% |
Located in Santa Barbara, California, UCSB is the crown jewel of the University of California (UC) public university system. UCSB campus life is an essential part of the college experience. UCSB has over 500 student organizations for you to join. Students can also get involved in Associated Students (A.S.), the student government at UCSB. Dip your toes A.S. led resources, like the KCSB radio station, the UCSB Bike Shop, and more. Moreover, UCSB’s Recreation Center offers pools, courts, weight rooms, cardio equipment, a hot tub, and much more. Students can also join sport clubs and intramural sports or take a trip with Adventure Programs.
There are also lots of things to do near Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, Butterfly Beach, Lotusland, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Zoo are some tourist attraction near UCSB campus. These attractions offer a mix of natural beauty, history, and entertainment, making them great places to explore while visiting the UCSB area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) has become increasingly selective over the past decade, now UCSB acceptance rate only about a quarter of its applicants. Despite this, it remains a more accessible option compared to other prestigious institutions, offering an elite public education in a stunning coastal setting. Beyond its breathtaking location between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, UCSB provides a vibrant academic environment with over 200 majors and 500 student organizations. UCSB stands out as a hidden gem for students seeking academic excellence without the extreme competitiveness of schools like UC Berkeley or UCLA.
FAQ about UCSB Acceptance Rate
The latest UCSB accpetance rate is about 25%, the average GPA of Santa Barbara University is much higher beyond requirements. What GPA do you need to get into UCSB? For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, the average GPA for admitted freshmen was between 4.13 and 4.29. UCSB requires you to be at the top of your class and except for GPA, admission officers also consider students’ extracurricular activities.
The UC Santa Barbara’s acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants is lower than the acceptance rate for in-state applicants. But the gap is usually little, usually less than 5 points. For admission requirements, California applicants must earn at least a 3.0 GPA and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA in all A-G or college-preparatory courses to meet this requirement.
There are 200-plus majors, degrees and credential, popular programs of UCSB includes materials engineering and chemical engineering, physics programs, quantum physics and astrophysics, Marine Biology program, etc.
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then UCLA is more difficult to get into. UCLA has an acceptance rate under 9%, while UCSB has an acceptance rate of around 29%, both of them are most valued public universities in United States.
