University of California-Santa Barbara
Ca · Public · 100% graduation rate
University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university in Ca with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Statistics (grade A), with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Applied Mathematics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer Science | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mathematics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Physics | $17K | $65K | $90K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Chemistry | $17K | $65K | $90K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Sociology | $20K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $20K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $20K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| International/Globalization Studies | $20K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Anthropology | $20K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $20K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $20K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| History | $21K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $20K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $20K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies | $20K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| English Language and Literature | $21K | $48K | $64K | B | BUY |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ca
How University of California-Santa Barbara Compares
University of California-Santa Barbara graduates carry a median debt of $19K across tracked majors, which is $7K less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $59K, about $484 above peers of the same type. Within Ca, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $7K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 76 is 4 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at University of California-Santa Barbara earns a grade of A, with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
University of California-Santa Barbara has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at University of California-Santa Barbara. For example, Statistics graduates have median debt of $17K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Statistics with median year-5 earnings of $126K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).