Students at the University of California-Santa Barbara achieve exceptional earnings that far exceed what similar students earn at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest financial advantages among public universities nationwide.
Graduates consistently see meaningful earnings premiums that place UCSB in the top tier for both actual earnings and earnings beyond expectations.
Azimuth ranks the University of California-Santa Barbara 27th out of 729 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the 96th percentile for overall value. What distinguishes UCSB is its ability to deliver exceptional long-term financial outcomes while maintaining the comprehensive academic breadth of a major research university. Graduates earn a median of $74,915 ten years after enrollment, with earnings that significantly exceed expectations compared with similar institutions nationwide.
UCSB represents the classic "Selective Achievers" profile—strong outcomes with more limited access for low-income students. About 28% of students receive Pell Grants and 42% are first-generation college students, reflecting moderate socioeconomic diversity within the UC system. The university's 85% six-year graduation rate and robust alumni network in California's major metropolitan areas contribute to consistently strong career placement.
As one of the premier UC campuses, UCSB combines research university resources with a distinctive coastal setting that attracts high-caliber students and faculty. The institution delivers on its promise of academic excellence translating into career success, making it a compelling choice for students who can access its opportunities and want predictable, strong returns on their educational investment.
The University of California-Santa Barbara offers a diverse academic portfolio with particularly strong outcomes in economics, technology, and applied fields. Applied Economics emerges as the standout program, combining substantial enrollment of 703 graduates with solid median earnings of $60,790, making it the highest aggregate-return major on campus. This reflects UCSB's strength in preparing students for careers in finance, consulting, policy analysis, and business sectors where quantitative skills command premium compensation.
Computer Science delivers the highest individual earnings at $81,554 for 145 graduates, positioning UCSB competitively within California's technology ecosystem. These outcomes reflect strong industry connections and the university's reputation among Silicon Valley and Los Angeles tech employers. Applied/Public Sociology, while the largest program with 713 graduates, shows more moderate early-career earnings at $30,719, though many graduates likely pursue graduate education or enter public service careers with different long-term compensation trajectories.
UCSB's program mix balances professional preparation with liberal arts breadth, typical of a comprehensive research university. The variation in outcomes—from Computer Science's $81,554 to Aquatic Biology's $21,312—reflects both career path differences and the reality that some programs prepare students for graduate school or mission-driven careers rather than immediate high earnings. However, the university's overall strong earnings beyond expectations performance suggests that even moderate-earning majors benefit from UCSB's academic reputation and alumni networks.
The University of California-Santa Barbara delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes for its graduates. Ten years after enrollment, students earn a median of $74,915, placing the university in the top 10% nationally for earnings performance. Even more impressive is UCSB's earnings beyond expectations advantage of nearly $11,777—graduates consistently earn far more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings premiums among public universities nationwide.
Program-level outcomes show particular strength in high-return fields. Applied Economics stands out as the highest aggregate-return major, combining strong enrollment of 703 graduates with solid median earnings of $60,790. Computer Science delivers the highest individual earnings at $81,554 for 145 graduates, representing exceptional returns in California's competitive tech market. Applied/Public Sociology, while the largest program with 713 graduates, shows more moderate early-career earnings at $30,719, though many of these students likely pursue graduate education or enter public service careers with different compensation structures.
UCSB's location in California's high-cost coastal region means that while absolute earnings are strong, graduates enter a market where housing and living expenses run well above national averages. However, the university's exceptional earnings beyond expectations performance suggests that UCSB graduates still achieve superior purchasing power compared with peers from similar institutions, even accounting for regional cost pressures.
Affordability at the University of California-Santa Barbara varies significantly by family income, following the typical UC system pattern. Low-income students pay about $7,745 annually after aid, which is quite affordable and places UCSB in the top tier nationally for low-income accessibility. Middle-income families face moderate costs around $11,398 per year, while high-income families pay closer to the full cost at $30,085 annually—reflecting the UC system's commitment to need-based aid concentration.
Debt levels remain manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes UCSB delivers. Typical graduates leave with about $13,993 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's median earnings of nearly $75,000 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,202, which is substantial but reflects the higher costs associated with attending a premier UC campus in an expensive coastal market.
What makes UCSB's affordability story compelling is the loan repayment performance of its graduates. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and borrowers consistently pay down their balances faster than national averages. By year four after graduation, UCSB borrowers have paid off about 13% of their original balance compared with much lower national benchmarks, demonstrating the financial capacity that comes with strong post-graduation earnings and career stability.
University Of California-Santa Barbara Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
