College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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Can You Afford University of California - Santa Barbara?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at UCSB’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

Attendance Costs in 2020 - 2021 Varied Between $10,946 & $66,703

Worried about paying the full cost of $66,703 to attend University of California - Santa Barbara? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.

For students living in California, the university offers a discount of 67.4% off tuition and fees. Also, 57.2% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $20,253. Students from low-income families receive an average of $26,003 in aid during their first year.

Cost for Residents of California (no aid)

Tuition and fees$14,406
+ Room and board$15,903
+ Other expenses$6,640
Total cost$36,949
Affordability Score (29 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Residents of California (with average aid)

Total cost$36,949
- Grants and scholarships$20,253
Net price$16,696
Affordability Score (59 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of California

Total cost$36,949
- Grants and scholarships$26,003
Net price$10,946
Affordability Score (78 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)

Tuition and fees$44,160
+ Room and board$15,903
+ Other expenses$6,640
Total cost$66,703
Affordability Score (5 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)

Total cost$66,703
- Grants and scholarships$20,253
Net price$46,450
Affordability Score (1 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates

Total cost$66,703
- Grants and scholarships$26,003
Net price$40,700
Affordability Score (2 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at UCSB.

Projected Costs Between $46,453 and $412,222 For a Four Year Degree. Between $22,835 and $199,541 For a Two Year Degree.

It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend University of California - Santa Barbara in 2020 - 2021 was $36,949. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 0.5% each year.

If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $37,319 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $37,882, for a bachelor degree candidate ($37,506 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $150,401 over the course of four years ($74,825 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $298,503 based on a yearly growth rate of 3.2%. The expected two-year cost is $144,494.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at University of California - Santa Barbara

Cost With Interest for Residents of California

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.1%0.5%
Freshman year$11,321$17,069$37,319
Senior year$11,514$17,258$37,506
Total 2-year net price$22,835$34,327$74,825
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$8,699$13,077$28,506
Total monthly payment$263$395$861
Total amount paid$31,534$47,404$103,331
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.1%0.5%
Freshman year$11,321$17,069$37,319
Senior year$11,909$17,643$37,882
Total 4-year net price$46,453$69,420$150,401
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$17,697$26,446$57,297
Total monthly payment$535$799$1,731
Total amount paid$64,150$95,867$207,698

Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*2.8%3.2%
Freshman year$42,120$49,097$71,095
Senior year$42,849$50,477$73,399
Total 2-year net price$84,969$99,574$144,494
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$32,370$37,934$55,047
Total monthly payment$978$1,146$1,663
Total amount paid$117,340$137,508$199,541
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*2.8%3.2%
Freshman year$42,120$49,097$71,095
Senior year$44,344$53,353$78,232
Total 4-year net price$172,904$204,823$298,503
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$65,870$78,030$113,719
Total monthly payment$1,990$2,357$3,435
Total amount paid$238,775$282,852$412,222

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending University of California - Santa Barbara.

Further Questions to Consider

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