University of California Santa Barbara campus

UCSB Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
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#18 Best Public Universities in America

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UCSB Admission Overview

UCSB admission requirements are highly competitive. Last year UCSB admitted 33% of applicants. UCSB is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSB is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UCSB Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

33%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UCSB acceptance rate is 33%. Last year, 36,347 of 110,259 applicants were admitted. That is the 17th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 117th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UCSB and can you get accepted?

UCSB is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSB GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.82*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.82*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UCSB has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.82 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. UCSB is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.82 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UCSB Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Santa Barbara does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UCSB SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1230-1460

Freshmen who sent SAT

81%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 620
Math 610
Composite 1230

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 710
Math 750
Composite 1460

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UCSB typically score around a 1350 SAT (middle 50% 1230–1460) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 92nd percentile nationally. UCSB ranks #17 in the state of California and #139 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1230 to 1460

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1350 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSB ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

48%

25th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 26
Composite 28

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 31
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UCSB typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 28–34) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UCSB places #14 among colleges in California and #89 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UCSB chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of California Santa Barbara admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	60,147	50,112	110,259
Accepted	21,622	14,725	36,347
Acceptance Rate	36%	29%	33%
Enrolled	3,090	1,918	5,008
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	14%	13%	14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Santa Barbara and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Santa Barbara application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted