University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

Public large campus Suburb: Midsize 23,113 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$16,109per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
18%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
28%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$13,993federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
75%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $13,993. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $162 a month, about $19,496 repaid in total, of which $5,503 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $99 a month — but the total climbs to $29,670, roughly $10,173 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

University of California-Santa Barbara’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$16,414published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$50,614published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
33%

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$74,91510 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Suburb: Midsize
Residential character
Primarily residential — many students live on campus

Most common fields of study

  • Social sciences27%
  • Psychology12%
  • Mathematics & statistics10%
  • Biological & biomedical sciences10%
  • Communication & journalism9%
  • Natural resources & conservation5%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NCAA Division I without football

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at University of California-Santa Barbara. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$162per month

Total repaid
$19,496
Interest paid
$5,503

Longer term — 25 years

$99per month

Total repaid
$29,670
Interest paid
$15,677

Borrow $13,993 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $10,173 more — $29,670 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

See if University of California-Santa Barbara fits you

Answer a few questions and we’ll show you where it lands — reach, match, or safety — alongside schools like it.

Get your free match

Similar colleges in California

Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: University of California-Santa Barbara.