University of California--Santa Barbara User Reviews and Ratings
wonderful experience
By Mr. Lizard, From Contra Costa County, California
I went to UCSB long ago, but it helped me grow in so many ways, academically, emotionally, and socially. I met my wife there, and today remain friends with many I met as a freshman. I went from UCSB to Berkeley for a master's degree and Georgetown for law school, and UCSB prepared me well for these experiences as well as my career as an attorney. My classes were stimulating, my professors caring, but I also had time for a lot of fun. I'd go there again in a heart beat.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Balance is the key to ultimate success
By J.H., From LA
Balance is the key to ultimate success
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great Education & College Experience
By Jason C., Class of 2009, From San Jose, CA
I graduated from UCSB in 2009 with degrees in Communication & Philosophy (Ethics & Public Policy). I went there for 4 years - lived in San Nicholas dorms and then Isla Vista (Sabado and DP) for 3 years. I have nothing negative to say - great campus, great professors, awesome location, great college town in Isla Vista, lots of smart people that like to have fun too.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best School
By Jason K. Class of 2001, From Los Angeles, CA
I graduated from USCB and going to school there was one of the best experiences of my life. UCSB is beautiful and is a true college experience. Almost all the students live in Isla Vista, which is biking distance to the school. It is a true college town with literally almost no non student residents. The educational experience is also amazing! The professors are passionate and you learn so much while studying there. I studied economics with an emphasis in accounting. I was hired right out of school by PWC and have had a very rewarding and lucrative career as a CPA. When hiring for positions my firm tries to hire as many UCSB students as we can. When UCSB students enter the workforce they tend to very well rounded, and are smart, driven and possess social skills that make them great people to work with. We find that with many other schools we get people who are smart but don't have the personalities or social skills that they need to be successful in the workplace. If you are looking for a college were you will get a good education combined with a great college experience UCSB is the school for you.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school
By Van, From Gig Harbor, Wa
I went to UCSB for pre-med many years ago then went to med school at UCLA. It was a great school and my education was outstanding.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：3
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Glad I didn't go anywhere else
By Mikey, Class of 2019, From CA
In my opinion, this is best school in the world. I am a biology major, and the research opportunities are endless. The professors are caring and the classes are actually really interesting.. and there's nothing like living next to the ocean! The best part is, UCSB helped get me into medical school; I will always owe it to UCSB for my success.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Top notch education and fun
By Dan, class of 2006, From Seattle, WA
Engineering department is world class and the degree gets you places. Highly respected school and fun too. Only problem is that it spoils you as an ocean view is a long way away after graduating.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
GORGEOUS Campus, world class education, meaningful life
By TH class of 2020, From San Francisco, CA
Balance
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
UCSB is a great school
By ChasTuna, From Cypress, CA
I graduated from UCSB with an undergraduate degree in business economics and have had a terrific career as a CPA. I have also hired many UCSB graduates who have demonstrated high performance commensurate with graduates from other top ranked accounting programs. UCSB graduates possess strong, communication, analytical, and problem solving skills. There are numerous opportunities to give back to the surrounding and campus community, and the social life is tops! UCSB deserves its top tier ranking.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
The Perfect College Experience
By Class of 2016, From Sacramento
I chose UCSB over UC Berkeley and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. World class academic opportunities—check. Amazing social environment—check. Living on the ocean—check. Collegial student culture—check.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Love UCSB
By Class of 2017, From Los Angeles
Had a great experience here as a communication major. Technology management program was exceptional.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing School
By Class of 2012, From California
Couldn't have picked a better school for my undergrad
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
UCSB is the best
By Olé, From Isla Vista, CA
World-class academics, great school spirit, thriving social environment. There truly is no better place to grow both intellectually and personally than UCSB. Strong focus on grades but not a cutthroat culture like that of Berkeley or UCLA. It doesn't hurt being right next to the beach and being treated to a beautiful Isla Vista sunset every evening. Amazing college town with plenty of tasty eating options and there is always something fun to do. Truly a hidden gem. What other place can you be living ocean-front in your early 20s?
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Recent Alum, c/o 2018
By Chris, From Washington, DC
UCSB offers an incredible education with professors genuinely care and classmates who work collaboratively rather than competitively. It truly is a perfect balance of work and play, academics are challenging and the extracurricular are a ton of fun. It doesn't hurt that the campus literally sits on the Pacific Ocean. The actual campus (buildings and facilities) could use some updates. Regardless, I do not believe there is a better institution for undergrad than UCSB. Go Gauchos!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
good
By good, From good
good
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
