FEATURED COLLEGE

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · West Coast

STEM powerhouse

US #39

A beachfront campus with stunning scenery, boasting multiple Nobel laureates in physics and materials science, balancing academic excellence with a great lifestyle.

National rank

#39

Acceptance rate

32.9%

SAT middle range

1290 – 1500

TOEFL minimum

80+

Tuition (yr)

$45,658

Undergraduates

23,200

International students

11%

Type

Public

Application requirements (2026-27 cycle)

Test-Blind

Early round

No early round

Regular Decision (RD)

11/30

Supplemental essays

UC PIQs: choose 4 of 8 prompts, 350 words each

⚠ The UC system does not consider SAT/ACT at all

ⓘ Applies via the UC application system, not Common App

Deadlines reflect recent typical dates and can shift slightly each year — always confirm on the school's official site before submitting.

Strong majors

PhysicsChemical EngineeringCommunicationEconomicsComputer Science

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