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25.9%Acceptance
$14,965Tuition
23,205Students
85%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$74,915Earnings
#10 in CaliforniaPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Cost Details

In-State Tuition
$14,965
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,742
Average Net Price
$13,825
Students Receiving Financial Aid
28.0%
Room & Board (On Campus)
$18,684
Room & Board (Off Campus)
$15,416
Books & Supplies
$1,482
Total Cost of Attendance
$35,131
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,993
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$148/mo
Loan Repayment Rate
74.6%
Students Taking Federal Loans
20.2%
Pell Grant Recipients
28.0%

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Net price by family income bracket
Family Income Average Net Price
$0 – $30,000 $7,745
$30,001 – $48,000 $8,910
$48,001 – $75,000 $11,398
$75,001 – $110,000 $16,839
$110,001+ $30,085

Cost Estimator

Family Income
Residency
Housing

Cost Overview

Families at UC Santa Barbara pay far less than the $45,742 out-of-state sticker price suggests. The average net price across all students is $13,825 annually. Low-income families with household earnings under $30,000 pay just $7,745 per year, while those earning over $110,000 pay $30,085. Over four years, total costs range from roughly $31,000 to $120,000 depending on family income.

Most graduates leave with manageable debt loads. The median debt of $13,993 translates to monthly payments of $148, which represents less than 3% of the typical graduate's $74,915 median salary after ten years. With 74.59% of borrowers successfully repaying their loans, the investment pays off for most students. In-state students get the best financial deal here, representing 82.86% of enrollment and benefiting from California's robust financial aid system that makes this strong research university accessible to middle-class families.

Official Net Price Calculator

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Visit Official Net Price Calculator

This links to the school's federally-required net price calculator for a personalized estimate.