Tuition and Finance

What does a UCSB Bren School graduate education cost?

The cost of a graduate education at UC Santa Barbara is comparable to other world-class universities. At the Bren School, we take an interest in the financial well-being of every one of our incoming students. We strive to help them find the financial aid, scholarships, fellowships, or job placements they need to make affording grad school possible. And while they're here, we provide as much access to resources as possible so that students can focus on their Bren education.

A comprehensive summary of quarterly fees and expenses for Fall, Winter and Spring is available from the UCSB Office of the Registrar. Information on Summer quarter tuition & fees can be found here.

Total Estimated Cost for CA Residents: $51,614
Total Estimated Cost for Non-Residents: $63,860

Quarterly fees and tuition costs above are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please note these costs are subject to change at the discretion of the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and the PDST is anticipated to be raised by 3% annually.

*UC SHIP cost for Summer Session varies year-to-year, but is generally between $1000 and $1200.

Cost of Attendance Calculator

The UCSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers a cost of attendance calculator which takes into account tuition and housing expenses.

Learn More About Fellowships & Employment

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all registered UCSB students and is a condition of enrollment. All full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) unless they choose to submit an online insurance waiver confirming they have acceptable health insurance coverage.  

UC SHIP typically covers Fall to Summer Quarters of a given academic year. Since the MEDS program begins in the Summer Quarter prior to the academic year, additional fees for UC SHIP health insurance covering the summer session bootcamp will apply. Some students may choose to stay on their existing insurance plans for the summer and then switch to the UC SHIP for the academic year. If you have any questions regarding summer health insurance, please contact Bren’s Admissions team.

California Residency

To determine whether you qualify as a California resident, please review the University of California Office of the President (UCOP)'s residency requirements and other information on the UCOP Understanding Residency site.

If you are currently not a California resident but attended high school in California for at least three years and graduated from a California high school, you may be eligible for in-state rates. Learn more about residency for tuition purposes.

Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may apply for need-based loans and work-study awards. For details, a list of criteria for eligible non-citizens, and information about how to apply for financial aid, please visit the UCSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. 

These financial aid programs are based entirely on demonstrated financial need. Students' eligibility for aid is determined by comparing the "Estimated Student Budget" with the individual student's actual resources. Assistance from the Financial Aid Office is usually offered as a combination package of work study and direct loans.  

At UCSB, financial aid in the form of federal work-study and federal subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans are handled by the UCSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, not by individual units, such as the Bren School. You will need to work with the financial aid office, not the Bren School, to obtain information about aid available to you through federal financial aid programs.

The Bren School expects all prospective and current domestic students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online or at the financial aid office of any college or university in the United States. The FAFSA is required in order to be considered for any federal, University, or Bren School-based financial support. The FAFSA is used to compile a “need analysis” in determining distribution of all financial support packages, including grants, fellowships, work-study, and loans. While you can submit a FAFSA at any time, the annual priority deadline is March 2 for the subsequent academic year.

Please note that due to the program's summer start, students must file FAFSAs for their incoming academic year and the year prior, e.g. a MEDS student starting in Summer 2025 must file a 2024-25 FAFSA and a 2025-26 FAFSA.

California Veteran College Tuition Waiver

The College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. This program does not cover the expense of books, parking or room and board. There are four plans under which dependents of veterans may be eligible. The CalVet College Fee Waiver website has more information about the four plans, eligibility, contact information, FAQ’s and additional resources.

Not all fees are waived under this program. Fees which are eligible for exemption at UCSB campus include: tuition and student services fee. Once you submit the authorization letter, and once your fees are assessed prior to each quarter, the waiver will automatically apply to your BARC billing account waiving the tuition and student services fees.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Veterans and Military Services.

Other Funding Resources

There are many public and private fellowships and scholarships available to graduate students. The UCSB Graduate Division provides a list of extramural funding databases and resources for graduate students. You can also see additional scholarship opportunities on the UCSB Financial Aid and Scholarships website.