Getting in
For Fall 2025, 110,187 first-year students applied to UCSB, 42,093 were admitted and 5,081 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 38.2%.
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Sep 30, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| California residents | 74,486 | 23,923 | 32.1% |
| Out-of-state | 17,067 | 9,302 | 54.5% |
| International | 18,634 | 8,868 | 47.6% |
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Sep 30, 2026.
By school or major. UCSB's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole campus, with no rate by college or major.
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Early decision and early action. UCSB has no early decision or early action plan. The Common Data Set answers no to both.
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to one of UCSB's three colleges. Some ask for more than the UC application:
- College of Letters and Science, Dance and Music Performance. An audition. For every other Letters and Science major, your choice of major is not considered and no supplemental application is needed.
- College of Creative Studies. A supplemental application, reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Pick a second-choice major outside Creative Studies, so you are still reviewed for it if you are not selected.
- College of Engineering. Alternate Engineering majors are not considered. To be reviewed for an alternate major, choose one in the College of Letters and Science.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Freshman Eligibility and Selection (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Majors
86 majors across 3 schools. Every bachelor's degree in UCSB's official 2026-2027 General Catalog, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Emphases are listed under their major; pre-majors, minors and graduate programs are left out.
College of Letters and Science68
- Actuarial Science (BS)Students start in the Pre-Actuarial Science pre-major.
- Anthropology (BA)Emphases: Archaeology; Biological; Cultural.
- Applied Mathematics (BS)Students start in the Pre-Applied Mathematics pre-major.
- Aquatic Biology (BS)
- Art (BA)
- Asian American Studies (BA)
- Biochemistry (BS)
- Biological Sciences (BA)
- Biological Sciences (BS)
- Biopsychology (BS)Students start in the Pre-Biopsychology pre-major.
- Black Studies (BA)
- Chemistry (BA)Students start in the Pre-Chemistry pre-major.
- Chemistry (BS)Students start in the Pre-Chemistry pre-major.
- Chicana and Chicano Studies (BA)
- Classics (BA)Emphases: Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy; Classical Archaeology; Classical Language & Literature; Greek and Roman Culture.
- Communication (BA)Students start in the Pre-Communication pre-major.
- Comparative Literature (BA)Emphases: Interdisciplinary; Multilingual.
- Dance (BA)Extra requirement: An audition is required for dance and music performance majors.
- Dance (BFA)Extra requirement: An audition is required for dance and music performance majors.
- Earth Science (BA)
- Earth Science (BS)Emphases: Geobiology & Paleobiology; Climate and Environment; Geology; Geophysics.
- East Asian Studies (BA)
- Ecology and Evolution (BS)
- Economics (BA)Students start in the Pre-Economics pre-major.
- Economics and Accounting (BA)Students start in the Pre-Economics and Accounting pre-major.
- English (BA)
- Environmental Studies (BA)
- Environmental Studies (BS)
- Feminist Studies (BA)
- Film and Media Studies (BA)Students start in the Pre-Film and Media Studies pre-major.
- Financial Mathematics and Statistics (BS)Students start in the Pre-Financial Mathematics and Statistics pre-major.
- French (BA)
- Geography (BA)Emphasis: Geographic Information Science.
- German (BA)
- Global Studies (BA)Students start in the Pre-Global Studies pre-major.
- History (BA)
- History of Art and Architecture (BA)Emphases: Architecture and Environment; Museum Studies.
- History of Policy, Law, and Governance (BA)
- Hydrologic Sciences and Policy (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)
- Italian Studies (BA)Emphasis: Transnational.
- Language, Culture, and Society (BA)
- Latin American and Iberian Studies (BA)
- Linguistics (BA)Emphases: Chinese; English; French; German; Japanese; Language and Speech Technologies; Slavic; Spanish; Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders.
- Mathematics (BA)Students start in the Pre-Mathematics pre-major.
- Mathematics (BS)Students start in the Pre-Mathematics pre-major.
- Medieval Studies (BA)
- Middle East Studies (BA)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology (BS)Emphases: Biochemistry-Molecular Biology; Cell and Developmental Biology; Microbiology; Pharmacology.
- Music (BM)Emphases: Bassoon; Cello; Clarinet; Composition; Double Bass; Flute; French Horn; Oboe; Percussion; Piano; Trombone; Trumpet; Tuba; Viola; Violin; Voice.Extra requirement: An audition is required for dance and music performance majors.
- Music Studies (BA)Emphases: Ethnomusicology; Interdisciplinary Studies of Music; Western Art Music.
- Philosophy (BA)
- Physical Geography (BS)Emphasis: Ocean Science.
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Physiology (BS)
- Political Science (BA)Students start in the Pre-Political Science pre-major.
- Portuguese (BA)
- Psychological & Brain Sciences (BS)Students start in the Pre-Psychological & Brain Sciences pre-major.
- Religious Studies (BA)
- Russian and East European Studies (BA)
- Sociology (BA)Students start in the Pre-Sociology pre-major.
- Spanish (BA)
- Statistics and Data Science (BA)Students start in the Pre-Statistics and Data Science pre-major.
- Statistics and Data Science (BS)Students start in the Pre-Statistics and Data Science pre-major.
- Theater (BA)Emphasis: Theater Design.
- Theater (BFA)Emphasis: Acting.
- Zoology (BS)
Source: UCSB General Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
College of Engineering6
Alternate Engineering majors are not considered; to be reviewed for an alternate major, choose one in the College of Letters and Science.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Freshman Eligibility and Selection (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
- Artificial Intelligence (BS)
- Chemical Engineering (BS)
- Computer Engineering (BS)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (BS)
Source: UCSB General Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
College of Creative Studies12
A supplemental application is required, reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Pick a second-choice major outside Creative Studies.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Freshman Eligibility and Selection (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
- Art (BA)
- Biology (BA)
- Chemistry and Biochemistry (BA)
- Chemistry and Biochemistry (BS)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Marine Science (BA)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Music Composition (BA)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Writing and Literature (BA)
Source: UCSB General Catalog 2026-2027, Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Freshman Eligibility and Selection (opens in a new tab), for the extra requirements. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC application | November 30 | Mid-March | No |
One UC application covers every UC campus. You can begin it on August 1 and submit it between October 1 and November 30. If you are admitted, your Statement of Intent to Register is due May 1.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
UCSB will not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions or scholarship selection, so scores are not considered even if you send them. If you are admitted and enroll, scores may be used for course placement.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Freshman Eligibility and Selection (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
The Common Data Set agrees: it answers no to using SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8A. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Changes already in effect
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
- Math. A statistics or additional math course taken in fall 2026 or later no longer makes up for a missing or low grade in Algebra II or Math III. It still counts as an extra year of math. Seniors applying this fall: this already applies to courses you take this year.
Source: UC Admissions, Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions (August 2026) (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
- Math. From fall 2026, AP Statistics no longer meets two years of the UC math requirement. AP Precalculus (with a score of 4 or 5), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and IB HL Mathematics Analysis and Approaches still do.
Source: UC Admissions, Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions (August 2026) (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Theater. From fall 2028, the Theater BFA (Acting emphasis) requires an audition as part of the admission process. Until then, students audition at the end of their first year.
Source: UC Admissions, Quick Reference Guide to UC Admissions (August 2026) (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: UCSB Admissions, Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at UCSB, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $14,202 | $53,472 |
| Required fees | $3,441 | $3,441 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $23,974 | $23,974 |
| Books and supplies | $1,478 | $1,478 |
| Transportation | $1,008 | $1,008 |
| Other expenses | $2,579 | $2,579 |
| Total | $46,682 | $85,952 |
First-year tuition and fees, with the Common Data Set's figures for a student living on campus.
Source: UCSB Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1 and G5. Read Sep 30, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $9,231 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $9,992 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $12,588 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $17,136 |
| Over $110,000 | $31,863 |
| All incomes | $16,109 |
What first-year, full-time in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from UCSB's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Sep 30, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of California, Santa Barbara on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · Public37.4% admitted$15,364 average net price
University of California, DavisDavis, CA · Public44.3% admitted$14,741 average net price
University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · Public41.7% admitted$14,091 average net price
California State University, Long BeachLong Beach, CA · Public45.4% admitted$10,440 average net price
University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA · Public28.9% admitted$14,251 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.