Formerly known as the Anna Blake School, the University of California, Santa Babara (UCSB or UC Santa Barbara) was founded in 1891. It is a public land-grant research university that is a part of the University of California’s 10-university system. Also, UCSB is the third oldest undergraduate campus in the system after UC Berkeley and UC Los Angeles.
Since its establishment, several academic agencies have acknowledged and recognized the university. For example, in 1995, UC Santa Barbara was elected a member of the Association of American Universities, a prestigious collective of 62 leading institutions of higher education in the US and Canada.
UC Santa Barbara’s alumni network comprises over 230,000 graduates residing in different parts of the world. Some notable alumni of this university include Walter Kohn, Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Herbert Kroemer, Nobel Prize in Physics; Elizabeth Gabler, President of Fox 2000 Pictures; Finn E. Kydland, Nobel Prize in Economics; Steve Aoki (DJ, Musician, Producer, Grammy Nominee; and Larry Dierker (Major League Baseball Player, Manager), among others.
Programs Offered
The table below illustrates the various programs at UCSB with their respective tuition fees.
| Programs | Tuition Fee |
| Bachelor of Arts in Communication | $29,754 per year |
| Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry | $44,130 per year |
| Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering | $29,754 per year |
| Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Science | $29,754 per year |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering | $29,754 per year |
| Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | $42,324 per year |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | $42,324 per year |
| Master of Science in Computer Science | $11,442 per year |
| Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering | $27,672 per year |
| Master of Science in Technology Management | $62,939 per year |
| Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering | $27,672 per year |
| Master in Business Analytics | $61,000 per year |
| Masters in Materials | $27,672 per year |
| Master of Arts in Statistics | $11,442 per year |
| Master of Arts in Biology | $26,544 per year |
| PhD in Counseling Psychology | $27,672 per year |
| PhD in Economics | $11,442 per year |
| PhD in Environmental Science and Management | $27,672 per year |
Admission Process
The campus of UCSB hosted 23,196 undergraduate and 2,983 graduate students in the academic year 2020-2021 with an acceptance rate of 36.7%. And, approximately 15% of the total students are international students. In order to secure admission to this university, you must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
| Exams | Scores for Undergraduate Programs | Scores for Graduate Programs |
| SAT | 560 or higher (Reasoning test) and 31 or higher (Writing and Language) | Not Applicable |
| IELTS | 6.5 or above | 7.0 or above |
| TOEFL | Internet-Based Test — 80 or abovePaper-Based Test — 550 | Internet-Based Test — 80 or abovePaper-Based Test — 550 |
| Duolingo | 115 or above | 115 or above |
| GMAT | Not Applicable | No Minimum Score Required |
| GRE | Not Applicable | No Minimum Score Required |
Along with scores of these exams, you have to submit these documents:
- Academic Transcripts
- Financial Documents
- Letters of Recommendation
- Copies of Passport and Visa
- DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application
- Statement of Purpose
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at UC Santa Barbara assists students in financing their higher education at this university. Recently, this office introduced a new tool, ScholarshipUniverse, that simplifies the process of applying for various financial aid such as scholarships, fee waivers, and grants, among others. Below are some scholarships that this university provides:
- Dream Scholar Fund Scholarship
- USS Programs Scholarships
- Davis-Putter Scholarship
- Regents Scholarship
- Middle-Class Scholarship
So if you aspire to study at an institution where you can explore various fields of study and engage in extensive research activities, then UC Santa Barbara is the place to be. We have attempted to provide you with all the information that you may require to seek admission to the university to make that informed choice. All the best!