Colleges in Santa Barbara, California
6 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 6 colleges and universities in Santa Barbara, California (4 Private nonprofit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 6 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $16,109 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 70.3%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 55% of applicants.
The median net price in Santa Barbara runs about $4,602 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Santa Barbara, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$16,109
After aid
Median grad rate
70.3%
6-year
Median admission rate
55%
Median enrollment
5,596
Undergrad
All colleges in Santa Barbara
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $16,109 | 83.0% | 33% | 23,113 | Complete | |
| Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $11,315 | 33.6% | Not available | 9,889 | Partial | |
| Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,053 | 70.3% | 77% | 1,302 | Complete | |
| Antioch University-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 55 | Partial | |
| Fielding Graduate University Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing | |
| The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (4)
Private nonprofit colleges in Santa Barbara are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Westmont CollegeNet price: $29,053Grad: 70.3%
- Antioch University-Santa BarbaraNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Fielding Graduate UniversityNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- The Colleges of Law at Santa BarbaraNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Santa Barbara are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of California-Santa BarbaraNet price: $16,109Grad: 83.0%
- Santa Barbara City CollegeNet price: $11,315Grad: 33.6%
Top programs in Santa Barbara
Most-completed programs across Santa Barbara colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Social sciences20.7% of degrees
- Liberal arts13.1% of degrees
- Biological sciences8.2% of degrees
- Communication8.2% of degrees
- Psychology8.2% of degrees
- Mathematics7.1% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.7% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary3.7% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Santa Barbara
Q.How many colleges are in Santa Barbara, California?
There are 6 colleges and universities in Santa Barbara, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private nonprofit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Santa Barbara?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of California-Santa Barbara is the largest institution in Santa Barbara with roughly 23,113 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Santa Barbara?
Based on average net price after aid, Santa Barbara City College is the most affordable institution in Santa Barbara at $11,315 per year.
Q.Which Santa Barbara college has the highest graduation rate?
University of California-Santa Barbara reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Santa Barbara institutions at 83.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Santa Barbara?
The median net price across all 6 colleges in Santa Barbara is $16,109 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Santa Barbara?
Across Santa Barbara colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Social sciences, Liberal arts, Biological sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in Santa Barbara?
Yes — Santa Barbara includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Santa Barbara that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.