University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California · Public · 33.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Santa Barbara
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,414/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,614/yr |
| Average net price | $16,109/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $64,436 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,915 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,993 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $148 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 23,113 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,231 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,992 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,588 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,136 |
| $110,001+ | $31,863 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Santa Barbara with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $98,178 | A |
| Sociology | $60,013 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $66,171 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $72,976 | B+ |
| Biology | $64,520 | B |
| Statistics | $90,778 | B+ |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $63,628 | C+ |
| International Relations | $70,384 | B |
| Applied Mathematics | $109,360 | B+ |
| English Language and Literature | $59,334 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Santa Barbara is $16,414/year ($50,614/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,109/year, or roughly $64,436 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,231/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,863/year.
The median graduate leaves with $13,993 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $148 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $74,915 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.33 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 33.0% |
| Enrollment | 23,113 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $20,677 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Barbara (this school) | 90 | $16,109 | $74,915 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Georgia | 88 | $13,936 | $68,726 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 87 | $17,303 | $68,758 |
| Clemson University | 86 | $22,253 | $71,513 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Santa Barbara is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $64,436 and median graduate earnings of $74,915 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 5.1 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 83.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $13,993 is very manageable against $74,915 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.