History
Continuing its evolution from an 1890s-born manual training school, the renamed Santa Barbara State Teachers College begins to grow its curriculum toward liberal arts education and to award four-year degrees.
Education
At UC Santa Barbara, academics shine as brightly as the sun over our slice of California coastline. From hard sciences to studio art and all points in between, educational opportunities abound. We offer more than 200 majors, degrees and credentials — discover one that matches your passion.
Research
We are innovative and entrepreneurial and the world knows it. UC Santa Barbara is a tier one research university, globally renowned — and ranked — for our impact across the disciplines. Our advances are changing lives and paving the way to a better future.
A researcher’s toolbox is invaluable. Stock it with the crucial implements to develop and submit your proposal, manage your award and protect your intellectual property. We have the expertise and resources to help.
Career
We empower students to prepare for their future by consulting powerful sources of knowledge. With access to reliable resources and self-paced, on-demand digital content, Gauchos make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
University of California, Santa Barbara Key Statistics & Highlights
- #70 Ranking
- 150 Scholarships
- 907 Academic Staff
- 25,578 Students
- 4,860 Students (int'l)
- 13,812 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
University of California, Santa Barbara Overview
University of California, Santa Barbara Scholarships
University of California, Santa Barbara Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of California, Santa Barbara. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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University of California, Santa Barbara Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Dropped 6 places compared to 2024
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | 64 | 70 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 5 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | 67 | 72 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 2 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | 89 | 91 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 1 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | 178 | 179 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Division of Student Affairs strives to support every student's success through a wide range of educational programs, resources, and services critical to student enrollment, persistence, and graduation. Students are encouraged to become familiar with all Student Affairs units early in their UCSB experience.
Housing services
Would you rather focus on studying and not have to worry about co-signing leases, figuring out utility bills with your roommates, buying furniture, etc? If so, live in UCSB Housing! As part of the University, we are here for you for your entire UCSB experience. We have the 2&2 plan to maximize your housing experience at a great value. Students who live in the residence halls for 2 years are guaranteed housing in UCSB apartments for their 3rd and 4th years.
Library services
UCSB Library, always looking ahead, has created a roadmap to its future as a 21st-century learning and service destination. During the 2013-14 academic year, the Library led high-level conversations with campus stakeholders — students, faculty, and administrators — to analyze recent survey data and to help sketch key priorities and directions.
ICT services
UC Santa Barbara is focused on giving its employees the opportunity to grow in their various roles through free continued education and professional peer mentorship.
The University takes steps to ensure the security of our infrastructure and systems, but cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and everyone can take a few simple steps to make the internet more secure.
Medical services
Studying isn’t the only key to success at UCSB. Health is crucial, too. We foster a learning and living environment that’s good for the whole you — mind, body and spirit — to nurture your academic development, resilience, and well-being.
Campus life
Get your culture on every day of the week. Our campus is an endless fount of programming, courtesy of venues including the MultiCultural Center, Pollock Theater, and the Art, Design & Architecture Museum — plus abundant offerings from almost every department. Top it off with the venerable UCSB Arts & Lectures program and you’re going to be endlessly busy, and loving it.
Sports facilities
National champions in soccer. Titans of the Big West. College World Series, anyone? From tennis to swimming, basketball to baseball to the track and back, UCSB boasts stellar athletics — and some of the best crowds in college sports.
Student clubs
Student chapters of a number of engineering professional organizations are active on the UCSB campus. Students interested in any of these organizations may contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies of the College of Engineering for more information.
Accreditation
The University of California, Santa Barbara is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission
University of California, Santa Barbara Campus Locations
University of California, Santa Barbara Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 32 reviews
- 5 Star 7 Reviews
- 4 Star 23 Reviews
- 3 Star 2 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.4
- Quality of Student Life 4.3
- Career Development 4.4
I love my major
Didn't really fit in too well at this school--it's very social but mostly through the party scene, so if you're not into that it can be hard to meet people. I love my major, biopsychology, and have had some great professors and done some amazing research in this field. I'm a Spanish minor, however, and most Spanish classes have been relatively poor. Obviously it's a beautiful campus and there are some great profs there, but I wish I had thought more about the culture there before attending.
Humanities at the University of Cantabria
Great accessibility for the programs of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, both for the Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Center equipped with a library specialized in the subjects taught, teachers with good methodology and equipped classrooms.
Mechatronic Engineering - A look to the future
In the Universidad Autonoma de Bucaramanga you can find the mechatronics engineering degree. I don't know of a lot of universities that have this career available. Mechatronics is a mix between mechanical and electronic engineering, that includes some valuable knowledge related with computer science and robotics. UNAB is one of the oldest universities in this field, with capable professors with a bunch of experience in their own fields, with well provided labs that makes learning easier and more interactive
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?