Is University of California-Santa Barbara worth it?

Santa Barbara, CA · public

Verdict

Typical students pay $16,109 a year after aid, graduate with $13,993 in federal debt, and earn $56,852 six years after enrolling — an estimated monthly loan payment of $150, with a debt break-even of about 2.5 years.

Net price / year

$16,109

Admission rate

33%

Graduation rate

Median debt

$13,993

Earnings (6 yr)

$56,852

Earnings (10 yr)

$74,915

Est. monthly loan payment

$150

Loan-to-income ratio

25%

Debt break-even

2.5 years

How University of California-Santa Barbara compares

MetricUniversity of California-Santa BarbaraCaliforniaNational
Net price$16,109$18,742$16,642
Median debt$13,993$10,028$12,377
Earnings (6 yr)$56,852$33,633$33,037
Graduation rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to attend University of California-Santa Barbara?

The federal average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,109 a year. That figure reflects what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price.

How much debt do University of California-Santa Barbara graduates typically carry?

Students who complete a program at University of California-Santa Barbara leave with a median federal debt of $13,993, based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

What do University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn?

Six years after enrolling, former students report median earnings of $56,852, drawn from federal tax records aggregated by the College Scorecard.

What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Barbara?

Graduation rate data is not currently published for this school.

Is University of California-Santa Barbara worth the debt?

Based on median debt and 6-year earnings, it would take roughly 2.5 years of 10% income allocation to pay off the typical debt load — compare that against your own expected major and career path before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.