University of California, Santa BarbaraAcceptance Rate, Requirements & Admissions Information

Overview inactive icon
Overview
Admissions active icon
Admissions
Financials inactive icon
Financials
Academic inactive icon
Academic
Campus Life inactive icon
Campus Life
Students inactive icon
Students
College Chances
Quickly determine your chances of admission
See Details
College Chances
Quickly determine your chances of admission
See Details
Deadline
November 30, 2026
105 Days Left
Admissions Department
UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2014
(805) 893-2881
Get money for college!
Find the scholarships that are looking for students like you — with your academic qualifications, interests, and other personal characteristics.
Learn More
Where You Stand
scatter-plot-preview
Open Admissions Tracker
Freshman Admission Reqs
Freshman Admission Reqs
expand icon
High School Preparation
High School Graduation
High school diploma required and GED is accepted
High School Program
College preparatory program is required
High School Units Req or Recommended
Subject Req Reco
English 4 4
Mathematics 3 4
Science 2 3
Foreign Language 2 3
History 2 2
Academic Electives 1 1
Examinations
Subject Required Units Due in Admissions Office
SAT or ACT Not used if submitted Not reported
SAT Only Not reported Not reported
ACT Only Not reported Not reported
SAT & SAT Subject Tests, or ACT Not reported Not reported
SAT Subject Tests Only Not reported Not reported
ACT Writing Test Policy Not reported Not reported
Applying For Admission
Applying For Admission
expand icon
Admissions Office
Address
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
CA
93106-2014
Phone
(805) 893-2881
Application Dates & Fees
Regular Admission Deadline
November 30, 2026
Application Fee
$80
Application Fee Waiver
Available
Regular Admission Notification
March 31
Accept Offer of Admission
Not reported
Waiting List Used
Yes
Defer Admission
Student cannot defer admission
Transfer Admission
Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
Early Decision Offered
No
Early Action Offered
No
Application Form
Common Application
Not accepted
Electronic Application
Not reported
Other Application Requirements
Interview
Not Required
Essay or Personal Statement
Required for all freshmen
Financial Need
Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Selection of Students
expand icon
Factor Very Important Important Considered Not Considered
Rigor of Secondary School Record X
Academic GPA X
Standardized Tests X
Class Rank X
Recommendations X
Essay X
Interview X
Level of Applicant's Interest X
Extracurricular Activities X
Volunteer Work X
Particular Talent/Ability X
Character/Personal Qualities X
First Generation to Attend College X
State Residency X
Geographic Residence X
Relation with Alumnus X
Religious Affiliation/Commitment X
Work Experience X
Profile of Fall Admission
Profile of Fall Admission
expand icon
Overall Admission Rate
38% of 110,187 applicants were admitted
Women
40% of 58,374 applicants were admitted
Men
35% of 48,509 applicants were admitted
Students Enrolled
5,035 (12%) of 40,572 admitted students enrolled
Women
3,056 (13%) of 23,627 admitted students enrolled
Men
1,979 (12%) of 16,945 admitted students enrolled
Students Offered Wait List
25,713
Students Accepting Wait List Position
18,022
Students Admitted From Wait List
9,603
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 Scale)
4.00 and Above
88%
3.75 - 3.99
9%
3.50 - 3.74
3%
3.25 - 3.49
0%
3.00 - 3.24
0%
2.50 - 2.99
0.1%
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
SAT Math: Not reported
Score of 700 - 800
Not Reported
Score of 600 - 700
Not Reported
Score of 500 - 600
Not Reported
Score of 400 - 500
Not Reported
Score of 300 - 400
Not Reported
Score of 200 - 300
Not Reported
SAT EBRW: Not reported
Score of 700 - 800
Not Reported
Score of 600 - 700
Not Reported
Score of 500 - 600
Not Reported
Score of 400 - 500
Not Reported
Score of 300 - 400
Not Reported
Score of 200 - 300
Not Reported
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
Not reported
Score of 30 - 36
Not Reported
Score of 24 - 29
Not Reported
Score of 18 - 23
Not Reported
Score of 12 - 17
Not Reported
Score of 6 - 11
Not Reported
Score of 5 or Below
Not Reported
ACT Math: Not reported
Score of 30 - 36
Not Reported
Score of 24 - 29
Not Reported
Score of 18 - 23
Not Reported
Score of 12 - 17
Not Reported
Score of 6 - 11
Not Reported
Score of 5 or Below
Not Reported
ACT Eng: Not reported
Score of 30 - 36
Not Reported
Score of 24 - 29
Not Reported
Score of 18 - 23
Not Reported
Score of 12 - 17
Not Reported
Score of 6 - 11
Not Reported
Score of 5 or Below
Not Reported
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
National Merit Scholar
Not reported
Valedictorian
Not reported
Class President
Not reported
Student Government Officer
Not reported
Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid data displayed on CollegeData’s college profiles is from the 2024-25 academic year.
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2026 Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.