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Summary
University of California--Santa Barbara is a public institution that was founded in 1909. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,620, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 989 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Santa Barbara's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 41. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,671 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,549 (2012-13).
Located 100 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the University of California—Santa Barbara sits atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Students can get involved in any of the approximately 450 clubs and organizations on campus, including a Greek community that comprises about 10 percent of undergraduate students. UCSB provides housing to many students in its residence halls, all of which include dining and recreational facilities. The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos compete primarily in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference and are known for their successful women’s basketball and men’s soccer teams. Non-varsity students can join a club team such as alpine racing, surfing, rugby, or ski and wakeboard.
UCSB encompasses five schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Letters and Science, serving undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate programs at UCSB include the highly ranked College of Engineering. The Gevirtz Graduate School of Education and Bren School of Environmental Science and Management are other notable graduate schools at UCSB. Undergraduate students can apply for admissions into the College of Creative Studies, which emphasizes focused studies in one of eight disciplines: art, biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, literature, mathematics, music composition, or physics. Musician Jack Johnson and actor Michael Douglas both graduated from UCSB.
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The mission of UCSB is defined in the context of the unique stature of the University of California and the place of the Santa Barbara campus within this system. Our responsibilities include provision of high-quality education to undergraduate and graduate students, innovation through the advancement of fundamental and applied research programs, creative activities and scholarship, and provision of service to the state as well as the nation and world that we share. In each of these three areas, our mission is to fulfill these responsibilities with the highest possible level of excellence in a manner that emphasizes the special abilities associated with our campus through its faculty, students, facilities, and geographic location. |
General Information
| School type | public |
| Year founded | 1909 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | quarter |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $320,346,000 |
Applying
When applying to University of California--Santa Barbara, it's important to note the application deadline is November 30. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 30. The application fee at University of California--Santa Barbara is $60. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 45.7 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 45.7% |
| Application deadline | November 30 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 30 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of California--Santa Barbara is 17:1, and the school has 46.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--Santa Barbara include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Sociology; and Communication and Media Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 91.2 percent.
Student Life
University of California--Santa Barbara has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,620, with a gender distribution of 47.6 percent male students and 52.4 percent female students. At this school, 33.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 67.0 percent of students live off campus. University of California--Santa Barbara is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at University of California--Santa Barbara.
| Total enrollment | 21,685 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
University of California--Santa Barbara offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, day care, and health service. University of California--Santa Barbara also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of California--Santa Barbara, 6 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of California--Santa Barbara.
| Students who have cars on campus | 6% |
| Health insurance offered | No |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of California--Santa Barbara, 58.3 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $17,223.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $13,671 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $36,549 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $13,275 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
