University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California · Public
Avg Earnings (5yr)
$56,852
Acceptance Rate
28%
Graduation Rate
86%
Annual Tuition
$14,965
Quick answer
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data on USACollegeData.com (2024-25 College Scorecard release), graduates of University of California-Santa Barbara earn a median of $74,915 ten years after entry — 38% above the national median. Acceptance rate 27.8%, in-state tuition $14,965.
At a Glance
Total Students
23,205
Retention Rate
92%
Faculty Ratio
17
Financial Aid
20%
Median Debt
$13,993
Campus Setting
Suburban
Institution Type
Public
Institution Overview
The University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution with a student body of 23,205. The university has a selective admissions process, accepting 27.8% of applicants. The university has a high retention rate of 91.9% and an 85.5% graduation rate. The median debt for graduates is $13,993, and 20.2% of students receive financial aid.
The in-state tuition is $14,965. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $38,259. Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $56,852, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $74,915.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
Earning Projection Over Time
$38k
1 YEAR
$57k
5 YEARS
$75k
10 YEARS
Graduate Outcomes
One year after graduation, University of California-Santa Barbara alumni earn $38,259. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $56,852, and after ten years, earnings reach $74,915. The median debt for students is $13,993, and 20.2% of students receive financial aid.
The university has an 85.5% graduation rate and a 91.9% retention rate. The university has an acceptance rate of 27.8% and a student population of 23,205. In-state tuition costs $14,965.
Popular Programs
Top performing degrees based on enrollment and outcome data.
Economics
Sociology
Research and Experimental Psychology
Communication and Media Studies
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
International/Global Studies
Biology, General
Political Science and Government
Statistics
Education, General
Mathematics
English Language and Literature, General
Physics
Anthropology
History
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Philosophy
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Chemistry
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
Geography and Cartography
Applied Mathematics
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Compare Similar Institutions
Campus Location
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
University of California-Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California. The campus is in a suburban setting.