University Of California-Santa Barbara Admissions

Students who enroll at UC Santa Barbara demonstrate strong academic persistence and completion outcomes. The university maintains a 91.9% freshman retention rate, significantly exceeding the peer median of 83.7% and indicating that admitted students find academic and social environments conducive to continued enrollment. The 85.3% six-year graduation rate substantially exceeds the peer median of 65.9%, reflecting effective institutional support for degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at a 63.9% rate, creating a 21.4 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. This gap indicates that while UC Santa Barbara successfully enrolls significant numbers of lower-income students, additional challenges affect their degree completion relative to higher-income peers. The substantial gap suggests that prospective Pell-eligible students should carefully evaluate available support resources and consider this completion difference when making enrollment decisions. Despite the gap, the 63.9% Pell completion rate remains above national averages for similar student populations. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support systems and academic environments designed for success, though lower-income students may face additional completion challenges. The combination of high overall retention and graduation rates indicates that UC Santa Barbara creates conditions supporting academic success for students who demonstrate college readiness through the selective admission process.