Students
Who's on campus
A large campus of 23,113 undergrads, where 28% receive Pell Grants, a typical share compared to other colleges.
Race & ethnicity
Diversity index0.78
Economic access
Campus size
Where first-years come from
5,008 first-time students
8.9% came from other states and 8.8% from abroad; 82% are from California. Fewer from other states than at 74% of colleges.
- In-state (California)82%
- Other states8.9%
- Abroad8.8%
Top home states
- California(home state)82% 4,118
- Washington1.2% 60
- New York0.8% 38
- Texas0.7% 35
- Colorado0.5% 27
From 46 states (counting DC) and 2 from U.S. territories.
Students starting college for the first time, by where they lived when admitted. Colleges report it every other fall.
Transfers in and out
Transferring in, fall 2024
2,109
new transfer students, 30% of new undergraduates. A larger transfer share than at 58% of colleges.
2,065 full-time, 44 part-time.
Going on to another college
7.7%
of students who entered in fall 2016 had left without a degree and were enrolled at another college 8 years later (about 546 students).
Federal data doesn't count students leaving in a given year; this follows one entering class.
Who they are
Almost everyone studies full-time.
58% women
Another gender: 471 undergraduates (2.0%)
Degree-seeking undergraduates. Men and women add up to 100% because federal data has colleges count each student of another or unknown gender as a man or a woman.
Campus life
Housing, sports, faith, Greek life, and LGBTQ+ life
Housing for 11,432 students.
Housing
Beds
11,432
About 49 for every 100 undergrads (median college: 59). Can include graduate housing.
First-years
Not required to live on campus
Many colleges still expect it, with exceptions such as for local students.
Meal plans
Up to 19 meals a week
Athletics & programs
Athletics
NCAA Division I · Big West Conference
Of the four sports the federal survey asks about, it plays basketball, baseball, cross country/track (no football).
How the Big West Conference comparesROTC
Army
Study abroad
Offered
Undergraduate research
A formal program
Calendar
Quarters
Student services
- Academic and career counseling
- Help finding a job while enrolled
- Job placement after graduating
- On-campus child care for students' children
- 8% of undergrads registered with disability services· Disability services office
Religious life
Faith communities · 3
- Jewish 1
- Christian 1
- Nonreligious and secular 1
Nonreligious and secular
University of California Santa Barbara Secular Student Alliance
Greek life
On the national organizations' own chapter lists.
Councils and chapters
2listedPanhellenic sororities (NPC)Show chaptersHide
From each organization's own chapter list.
Gamma Xi Chapter
California Zeta
3listedInterfraternity (NIC and IFC)Show chaptersHide
From each organization's own chapter list.
LGBTQ+ life
Support on campus
Founded 1997
Policies
- Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression
- Gender-inclusive housing
- Chosen name and pronouns on campus records
- Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online
- Student health plan covers transition-related care
Listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse, read October 2026; not confirmed by the college.
Undergraduates of another gender, fall 2024
Gender unknown: 478
Colleges record gender so differently that these counts can't be compared between colleges.
Sources:College Scorecard, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (distance education), Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)