3 Best Universities In Santa Barbara For International Students 2025

Santa Barbara is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Santa Barbara, California. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Santa Barbara, California.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Santa Barbara?

Applying to the universities in Santa Barbara involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Santa Barbara to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Santa Barbara?

Tuition fees at Santa Barbara’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 41,200 USD to 48,900 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 25,000 USD to 30,200 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Santa Barbara!

As we cover the best universities in Santa Barbara for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Santa Barbara for International Students

University of California, Santa Barbara, is part of the ten-campus UC public university system. It started as an independent solution before joining UC in 1944 as its third campus. More than 200 programs in various levels and subjects are up for the taking. Students may receive high-quality and prestigious training, as no less is expected from a premier producer of prominent alumni, including Nobel laureates, Oscar winners, and renowned experts.

Westmont College is situated in the picturesque city of Santa Barbara, California. It is a private and Christian institution that offers full-time undergraduate programs. As a liberal arts college, some of its academic programs include humanities, engineering, sciences, and theology. The institution actively promotes its Christian traditions within its campus, and it holds several community gatherings to aid students in deepening and strengthening their faith in God.

Pacifica Graduate Institute is a graduate school with a variety of programs in the field of psychology and the mission of the school is to instill creative learning and research in its psychology students. Some core values that guide students are integrity, service, and stewardship. Student services available to students include diversity and inclusion council, disability support, tutors, and many more.