Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$17,223
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $14,965 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $45,742 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $18,684 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,482 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | No |
Financial Aid: visit page
Aid & Grants
0
100
80%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
30%
Average Aid Per Year
$20,389
30%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,232
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$10,165
35%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$11,053
48%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,232
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$250,339,952
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$16,299,808
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
23%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,453
Students receiving federal loans
22%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,417
Average Other Loans Per Year
$6,063
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,000
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$143
What Students Are Saying
- Being able to see the beautiful beach everyday is definitely a plus.
- The school offers so many extras at no immediate cost to you--tutoring, clubs, a gym, etc.
- The school offers so many extras at no immediate cost to you--tutoring, clubs, a gym, etc.
Taryn from Granada Hills, CA
This is a rather expensive school, especially if you don't have any help from financial aid... But, even with that said, the overall atmosphere of the school really truly makes you appreciate the money you are spending on your education!
Emily from Vacaville, CA
Given the recent economic times, college is definitely not cheap. However, I'm paying the same amount as students who go to other big public schools and am getting more out of it. I live on the beach, I'm involved on my campus, I can get personal attention from my professors and TAs, I'm able to get help when I need it, I get the classes I need and I don't feel like I'm being overwhelmed by ultra-competitive students (not to say our students aren't competitive; it's more like everyone likes to help each other succeed). Some students from other public schools just can't say that.
Katy from Murrieta, CA
You can see what your money goes towards at UCSB, from weekly cleaning services and maintenance for the dorms to free concerts and public speakers, along with on-campus career and psychological services.
Celine from Brentwood, CA
pretty good. ucsb is almost 35k a year without financial aid of any kind, and provides a solid education combined with diverse extracurriculars. however, if you wanted to be smart about money and knew what your educational goals were, completing general education at a community college and then transferring would be a viable option.
lauren
Like every other university, UCSB costs a pocket-full of money. However, my experiences with the Financial Aid Office have always been positive. The FAO also offers many scholarships for UCSB students, and that is something I highly recommend!
Sheila from Los Angeles, CA
Cheaper than a private school, and with the recent rankings placing UCSB at 8th nationally for a public university, and 8th in California for all public and private universities, its definitely worth the investment. There's cheaper schools out there but they don't offer the education UCSB does, not to mention UCSB's location is second to none. Housing costs seem a lot better priced when the dorms are beachfront, as opposed to near the cows like at Davis.
Benjamin from Ventura, CA
The UCs are pretty expensive due to the budget cuts and it has gotten harder to get into classes that you want but they still offer everything they used to for students which you should take advantage of, like going to the gym for instance; you are already paying for it in your tuition and the food they serve you in the dining commons is not always healthy (its hard sometimes to say “no” to the desserts) so why not? Also, being able to hear the waves from your dorm room at night or just hanging out on the beach between classes makes the tuition worth it.
Amanda from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Fees for UCSB are very steep; however, you are provided with many programs, resources and establishments that you can access by simply presenting your student identification card.
Jennifer from Huntington Park, CA
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