University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California · Public · 33.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Santa Barbara scores 90 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale. With in-state tuition of $16,414 and a net price of $16,109, UCSB delivers strong outcomes at a UC price point. Median 6-year earnings of $42,800 appear modest but understate the school's value -- a large share of graduates pursue graduate, professional, or medical school in the early years, suppressing the near-term earnings figure. The 5.1-year payback period and median debt of $13,993 are strong. Computer Science (162 graduates, $107,776 year-one, $149,190 year-four) and Computer Engineering (58 graduates, $91,387 year-one, $144,703 year-four) lead the ROI rankings with A-grade returns and debt-to-earnings ratios of 0.102 and 0.158 respectively. Economics (696 graduates, $66,334 year-one, $98,178 year-four) is the highest-volume strong program with an A-grade ROI. Electrical Engineering ($117,215 at year four, ROI grade A) and Chemical Engineering ($113,317 at year four, ROI grade A) also perform at the top tier. The 83.0% completion rate is above average for a large public research university. Repayment rate of 79.3% at three years is adequate but below the institutional average for UC peers -- likely reflecting the large share of graduates in graduate school or early-career research roles who may be on income-driven repayment.
University of California-Santa Barbara scores in the top 10% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of California-Santa Barbara
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $9,231 per year at UCSB -- below the $10,000 threshold that California's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan targets. Four years at $9,231 totals $36,924. For a school with $42,800 median 6-year earnings and strong completion, this is among the most efficient investments in the dataset for low-income California students. CS and engineering students recover cost in under a year of working.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $12,588 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $17,136. Both figures are competitive with many public flagships. At $12,588-$17,136 annually, four-year all-in runs $50,352-$68,544. Against median 6-year earnings of $42,800 and a 5.1-year payback, the investment is strong for most program paths.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $31,863 per year for in-state students, roughly $127,452 all-in over four years. For CS or engineering students, this is recovered in slightly more than one year of working. For students in humanities or social sciences, the payback extends but remains within reason given the school's completion rate and career support.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science at UCSB is among the top value programs in the dataset: 162 graduates, $107,776 year-one, $149,190 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.102 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $11,000 against $107,776 year-one earnings is essentially irrelevant -- graduates pay off debt in weeks. UCSB's CS program places into Silicon Valley tech firms and LA-area tech at rates reflecting the school's research reputation in computer science, particularly in distributed systems and programming languages.
Economics
Economics is UCSB's highest-volume strong program: 696 graduates, $66,334 year-one, $98,178 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.204 (ROI grade A). The A grade with 696 graduates is a reliable signal -- this is not a small-sample outlier. Economics graduates enter consulting, tech finance, real estate, and graduate school. The four-year trajectory to $98k reflects the California tech and finance labor market premium. Median debt of $13,516 at these earnings levels is negligible.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (58 graduates) earns $91,387 year-one and $144,703 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.158 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $14,410 at $91k year-one. The four-year trajectory matches the CS program closely, reflecting shared career paths in Bay Area and LA tech sectors. UCSB's ECE department has a strong research presence that supports these outcomes.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (74 graduates) earns $49,100 year-one and $90,694 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.193 (ROI grade A). Year-one earnings of $49k are below the technical programs, reflecting a population that includes graduate school entrants and research assistants. The jump to $90,694 at year four shows those who stayed in industry or completed master's degrees catching up. Median debt of $9,500 is extremely low.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Management Sciences (47 graduates) earns $66,099 year-one and $96,078 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.168 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $11,128 at these earnings is negligible. This program captures quantitatively oriented business students who blend economics, statistics, and operations research -- a profile well-suited to tech and consulting roles in California.
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 |
At 33.0%, UCSB is moderately selective within the UC system -- below UCLA and Berkeley, above UC Santa Cruz. The UC system's test-free admissions process uses GPA, course rigor, personal insight questions, and extracurricular activities. For California residents, UCSB is among the best cost-adjusted values in American higher education given the in-state tuition and net price. Competitive programs within UCSB (CS, engineering, biochemistry) have higher internal hurdles than the institutional average.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UCSB's peers include Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Bakersfield, Clemson, University of Georgia, and NC State. The meaningful peer comparisons at UCSB's tier are other UC campuses and strong public research universities. UCSB's ROI of 90 is competitive with UC San Diego (approximately 92) and ahead of UC Santa Cruz (approximately 80-85). Its CS and Computer Engineering outcomes ($149,190 and $144,703 at year four) match or exceed comparable programs at Clemson and NC State. For California residents, UCSB is one of the strongest cost-adjusted research university options available.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
UCSB admits 33.0% of applicants and does not report SAT or ACT ranges separately (consistent with UC system test-free policy). At 23,113 enrolled, it is a mid-large research university on California's coast in Goleta. The Pell grant rate of 27.9% reflects UC's relatively generous financial aid for lower-income students. UCSB's strength is in STEM: the engineering, CS, physics, chemistry, and biological sciences programs have national research reputations. The campus culture leans active, outdoor, and collaborative. Students planning graduate school in sciences or professional school (law, medicine) are well-served; those seeking immediate high-paying employment will find CS and engineering the clearest paths.
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.
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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.