UC Santa Barbara's published cost of attendance reaches $36,776 annually, comprising $14,965 in-state tuition, $18,684 for room and board, and $1,482 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with $45,742 tuition.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $41,573 |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,614 |
| Room and Board | $20,279 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,381 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$25,464 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $16,109 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,231 |
| $30–48k | $9,992 |
| $48–75k | $12,588 |
| $75–110k | $17,136 |
| $110k+ | $31,863 |
UC Santa Barbara's published cost of attendance reaches $36,776 annually, comprising $14,965 in-state tuition, $18,684 for room and board, and $1,482 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with $45,742 tuition. However, the average student pays just $13,825 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $22,951 from the sticker price.
This net price places UC Santa Barbara $1,765 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar institutions. The university's financial aid effectiveness reduces costs by 62.4% from published rates, demonstrating strong institutional commitment to affordability. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $7,745 for families earning under $30,000 to $30,085 for families earning over $110,000.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Student borrowing at UC Santa Barbara remains highly manageable compared to national and peer patterns. Median student debt reaches $13,993, substantially below the peer median of $20,000 and representing $6,007 less borrowing than similar institutions.
The debt distribution ranges from $7,500 at the 25th percentile to $23,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating controlled borrowing across student populations. UC Santa Barbara ranks in the 87th percentile for favorable debt levels, reflecting institutional effectiveness in controlling student borrowing costs.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 indicates highly sustainable borrowing relative to post-graduation income, with annual debt service representing less than 20% of median earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,202 with monthly payments of $306, though this represents raw figures without family income context.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
UC Santa Barbara delivers exceptional return on educational investment through the combination of controlled costs and strong earnings outcomes. Graduates earn $74,915 median income while borrowing just $13,993, creating a highly favorable 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio.
The university generates $11,776 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking in the 87.7th percentile for value-added performance and demonstrating institutional effectiveness in supporting student success. Compared to peer institutions, UC Santa Barbara graduates earn $14,372 more annually while borrowing $6,007 less, representing superior value proposition.
The 90th percentile earnings ranking combined with 87th percentile favorable debt levels positions UC Santa Barbara among top performers for educational return on investment. Students benefit from net prices averaging $1,765 below peer institutions while achieving earnings outcomes exceeding peer medians.
UC Santa Barbara's financial aid system generates average savings of $22,951 from the published $36,776 cost of attendance, reducing student costs by 62.4%. The substantial aid effectiveness reflects the university's public mission and commitment to educational access across income levels.
With 28.0% Pell-eligible enrollment, a significant portion of students benefit from federal need-based aid programs supporting low-income educational access. The progressive net price structure demonstrates institutional aid policies targeting students from lower-income backgrounds while maintaining affordability for middle-income families.
Financial aid concentration toward lower incomes enables the university to maintain its Opportunity Builder designation, combining selective admission standards with meaningful educational access. The peer comparison showing $1,765 lower net costs indicates UC Santa Barbara provides competitive value relative to similar public research institutions.
