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UCSB Acceptance Rate 2024

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UCSB Acceptance Rate
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One of the most prestigious universities in the world, University of California, Santa Barbara is a public land-grant research university in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. UC Barbara is one of the best study abroad universities for international students as the UC Santa Barbara ranking has been consistent among the top 200 global universities for more than a decade now.

Students across the globe apply for UC Santa Barbara admissions. However, only a fraction of candidates secure an enrolment due to the competitive nature of the university.

University of California Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate 2024

In Fall 2023, UCSB received over 110,000 applications from prospective undergraduates and graduates. Out of these, only about 30,000 candidates secured an admission offer from the university. Hence, it can be concluded that with the University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate of 27.7%, the university is very selective to get into.

Particulars

Headcount/Percentage

Applicants

110,876

Admitted Students

30,805

Students Enrolled

5,043 

Acceptance Rate

27.7% 

Yield Rate

16.3% 

University of California Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate for International Students

For Fall 2023 admissions, a total of 17,513 international students applied for UCSB admissions. Out of them, 3,762 were sent an admission offer. Hence, the UC Santa Barbara acceptance rate for international students is recorded to be 21.4%.

Particulars

Headcount/Percentage

International Applicants

17,513

International Admitted Students

3,762

International Students Enrolled

534

Acceptance Rate

21.4%

As of the academic year 2023-24, the total student enrollment of the university stands at 25,198. Out of these, the undergraduate student count is 22,407 and the graduate student count is 2,791. The University of California Santa Barbara international students are around4,000 in number and they represent 107 countries around the globe.

Particulars

Statistics

Total Enrollment

25,198

Undergraduate Students

22,407

Graduate Students

2,791

International Students

4,000 (approx.)

Nationalities Represented

107

When it comes to the ethnic breakdown, a vast number of undergraduate students admitted in the Fall 2023 admissions are Hispanic,White, Asian, International, Black, and more. 

Ethnicity/Race 

Headcount of Students 

Hispanic

1,433

White 

1,380

Asian

1,059

International 

545

Two or more races 

383

Black 

107

American Indian / Alaska Native 

14

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 

2

University of California Santa Barbara Admission Requirements for International Students

In order to secure an admission, all overseas applicants must fulfill certain UC Santa Barbara admission requirements listed below: 

Undergraduate Requirements

Graduate Requirements

- Official secondary school transcripts;

- Minimum high school GPA of 3.0;

- Proof of English language proficiency; and

- SAT/ACT scores (not mandatory).

- Four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);

- Proof of English language proficiency;

- Minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale;

- GRE/GMAT scores;

- Resume/CV;

- Letter of recommendations (LOR); and

- Other course-specific requirements.

University of California Santa Barbara Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores

In order to secure an enrollment in UCSB, students can appear for one of the standardized tests (SAT/ACT). However, it is not mandatory as the university is test optional. Listed below are the average scores obtained by the students admitted in Fall 2023: 

Entrance Exams 

Average Score Requirements 

SAT Evidence-based Reading & Writing

630 - 730

ACT 

26 - 31

GPA 

UG: 3.0

PG: 3.4

Tips to Get Selected in the University of California Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara is one of the best universities to get into and thus, students must submit exceptional academic grades as well as excel in co-curricular activities.

Fulfilling the required Grade Point Average is one of the major entry requirement at the university and international students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate courses and 3.4 for postgraduate courses, in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in the university. Apart from fulfilling the academic qualifications, some of the best practices that students can follow include acquiring strong letters of recommendations, submission of high English language proficiency scores and standardized test scores.

University of California Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate Vs University of Texas at Austin Acceptance Rate

University of Texas at Austin acceptance rate stands at 31%, which makes it a competitive university to get into. In comparison with the UC Santa Barbara acceptance rate of 26%, UT Austin can be considered slightlylesser selective in their admission criteria. 

As listed, getting into UT Austin is selective. Hence, students must excel in academics in order to boost their chances. Apart from this, students who are outstanding in activities outside class also stand a good chance to secure an admission.

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FAQs

Q:   Is it hard to get into UC Santa Barbara?

A: 

University of California Santa Barbara is a competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 26%. This figure tells us that only 26 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is less than half of all the applicants. However, students must note get discouraged and fulfill all the University of California Santa Barbara admission requirements, i.e.; academic qualifications, standardized test scores, English language requirements, as well as relevant documents, to boost their chances of securing an admission in the university. Also, students must apply to UCSB within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate of the University of California Santa Barbara?

A: 

Usually, the University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate is calculated to be around 26%. In Fall 2023, UCSB received over 110,000 applications from prospective undergraduates and graduates. Out of these, only about 30,000 candidates secured an admission offer from the university. Hence, it can be concluded that with the University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate of 27.7%, the university is slightly selective to get into.

Particulars

Headcount/Percentage

Applicants

110,876

Admitted Students

30,805

Students Enrolled

5,043 

Acceptance Rate

27.7% 

Yield Rate

16.3% 

Q:   How to get into the University of California Santa Barbara from India?

A: 

In order to secure an admission, all overseas applicants must fulfill certain University of California Santa Barbara admission requirements listed below:

Undergraduate Requirements:

  • Official secondary school transcripts;
  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.0;
  • Proof of English language proficiency; and
  • SAT/ACT scores (not mandatory).

Graduate Requirements:

  • Four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);
  • Proof of English language proficiency;
  • Minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale;
  • GRE/GMAT scores;
  • Resume/CV;
  • Letter of recommendations (LOR); and
  • Other course-specific requirements.

Q:   Does UCSB accept international students?

A: 

Yes, the University of California Santa Barbara accepts international students every year. As of the academic year 2023-24, the total student enrollment of the university stands at 25,198. Out of these, the undergraduate student count is 22,407 and the graduate student count is 2,791. The University of California Santa Barbara international students are around 4,000 in number and they represent 107 countries around the globe.

Particulars

Statistics

Total Enrollment

25,198

Undergraduate Students

22,407

Graduate Students

2,791

International Students

4,000 (approx.)

Nationalities Represented

107

Q:   What are some tips to get selected in the University of California, Santa Barbara?

A: 

University of California, Santa Barbara is one of the best universities to get into and thus, students must submit exceptional academic grades as well as excel in co-curricular activities. Fulfilling the required Grade Point Average is one of the major entry requirement at the university and international students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate courses and 3.4 for postgraduate courses, in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in the university. Apart from fulfilling the academic qualifications, some of the best practices that students can follow include acquiring strong letters of recommendations, submission of high English language proficiency scores and standardized test scores.

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UCSB

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Anushree Sinha

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Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio
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