by our College Data Analytics TeamReview current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees for University of California-Santa Barbara, and how those costs compare to other schools over time.
In the most recent reported year, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at University of California-Santa Barbara ran $16,414 each year. Out-of-state undergraduates paid $50,614. In-state residents pay notably less as a result.
Required fees account for totaled $3,268 in-state and $3,268 out-of-state; the remainder is straight tuition.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,146 | $47,346 |
| Fees | $3,268 | $3,268 |
| Total | $16,414 | $50,614 |
These tuition and fee numbers are for one year of attendance and exclude room and board.
Bear in mind that many undergraduates get financial aid and scholarships that bring down the real cost they pay. The totals here are the list price.
What will University of California-Santa Barbara charge if you go part time? Check the Cost Per Credit Hour page for the per-credit figures.
To put that price in context, here is how University of California-Santa Barbara tuition and fees compare to other colleges. Each rating is relative to the average for that group of schools.
| Nationwide | In CA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
Relative to the national field, University of California-Santa Barbara sits above the national average.
Bear in mind that aid packages often lower the real cost well below these published figures. Visit the University of California-Santa Barbara Financial Aid page for more.
Below is how tuition at University of California-Santa Barbara has moved over the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $11,442 | $41,196 |
| Two Years Ago | $11,928 | $42,954 |
| One Year Ago | $12,522 | $45,096 |
| Most Recent Year | $13,146 | $47,346 |
The chart here shows how tuition at UCSB has tracked over the reported years.
Year over year, out-of-state tuition rose 5.0%. At the same pace next year, tuition + fees would be roughly $53,139 the year ahead.
Most schools raise tuition gradually each year, so the cost in your final year will likely top today’s number.
See answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for additional detail.
Averaged across those years, in-state tuition and fees increased by 4.42%, putting next year’s in-state cost near $17,139. For students from out of state, the yearly pace was 4.64%, which puts out-of-state cost next year near $52,964.
If that pace holds, here is what tuition and fees could look like over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $17,139 | $52,964 |
| In 2 Years | $17,896 | $55,423 |
| In 3 Years | $18,686 | $57,996 |
| In 4 Years | $19,511 | $60,689 |
| In 5 Years | $20,373 | $63,507 |
As you plan how to pay for college, fold in expected yearly increases — at this pace, four years of out-of-state tuition and fees projects to about $227,072, versus roughly $73,232 for in-state students.
A tuition figure is only part of the conversation — financial aid can change the actual price a family pays substantially.
For a closer look at aid at University of California-Santa Barbara, head to the University of California-Santa Barbara Financial Aid page.
