Placement Metric
Highest Package
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Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.
University Guide
About UC-Santa Barbara
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
The University of California, Santa Barbara is a public research university in USA. The university is a powerhouse with 10 national Institutes and Centers, 29 National Academy of Engineering members, 50+ researchers advancing energy efficiency, 45 American Academy of Arts and Sciences members. UC Santa Barbara campus is currently home to 25,034 students, with international students representing 107 countries. With over 200 majors, degrees and credentials, students can choose from a range of courses at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Recent News: Applications for admission to UC Santa Barbara will open on August 1, 2024 and should be submitted by November 30, 2024.
For admission to UC Santa Barbara in graduate courses, you require a GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale (88%). You can estimate to spend between 15,102 to 31,026 USD (12.59 to 25.86 lakhs INR) in tuition fees for UC Santa Barbara. UCSB ensures high return on investment with average graduate salary of around 85,000 USD per annum (70.86 lakhs INR). UC Santa Barbara fuels economic activity on the South Coast. Over 90 companies, including 60 local companies, have been established based on technology discovered or developed by UC Santa Barbara.
Check out some popular scholarships to fund your education in USA, providing 100% funding:
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University of California Santa Barbara Rankings
UC Santa Barbara is one of the top 200 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings, 2024. The university has consistently ranked among the top 70 universities in the world according to THE World University Rankings. Some global rankings of UC Santa Barbara are as follows:
| Ranking Type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #163 | #149 | #146 | #152 |
| THE World University Rankings | #69 | #64 | #68 | #68 |
| U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities | - | #67 | #67 | #56 |
| ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) | - | - | #57 | #57 |
University of California Santa Barbara Campus
University of California Santa Barbara campus is located on 1,000 acres area along the California coast, between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. UCSB campus is home to the California NanoSystems Institute, one of the first California Institutes for Science and Innovation. The university has a research partnership with UCLA, creating innovative devices, systems, and materials to enhance human lives.
University of California Santa Barbara Student Life
UC Santa Barbara organizes a range of events, atheletics, and exhibits recreation opportunities for students. The student life in UC Santa Barbara includes global minded students involving in social engagement, and environment awareness.
- UC Santa Barbara campus exhibits numerous cultural venues like MultiCultural Center, Pollock Theater, and the Art, Design & Architecture Museum.
- The university offers athletic opportunities with sports like tennis, swimming, basketball, baseball, among others.
- The university has residence halls for students with ocean, mountain, and lagoon views.
University of California Santa Barbara Courses
University of California, Santa Barbara offers 139 undergraduate courses, and 57 graduate courses. The most popular majors at UC Santa Barbara are, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, among others. A list of some popular courses in University of California Santa Barbara is provided below:
University of California Santa Barbara Admissions
University of California Santa Barbara admissions are quite selective with a stringent acceptance rate of 27.9%. The university exhibits a graduate acceptance rate of 20%, accepting 1,888 out of 9,427 applications submitted last year. Students should demonstrate high academic achievements to secure a place in the university. The eligibility criteria for admission to UC Santa Barbara according to the academic levels are provided in the following tables:
University of California Santa Barbara PG Admissions
| Category | PG Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Online Portal |
| Application Fee | 155 USD (12,920 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a registered institute | Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions |
| GPA | 3.4 on a 4.0 scale (88%) for non-California residents |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 80 | IELTS: 7 | Duolingo: 120 |
| SOP/LOR | 3 Letters of recommendation | Statement of purpose |
| Additional Requirements | Personal history and diversity statement | Resume/CV |
University of California Santa Barbara UG Admissions
| Category | UG Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Online Application Portal |
| Application Fee | 95 USD (7,919 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | High school certificate |
| GPA | 3.4 on a 4.0 scale (88%) for non-California residents (Mean GPA for freshmen attended: 4.08) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 | DET: 115 |
| Additional Requirements | Non-academic accomplishments (If any) |
University of California Santa Barbara Cost of Attendance
The costs of living in USA for undergraduate and graduate students of UC Santa Barbara are provided in the following table:
| Expense Type | Annual Cost for Undergraduate Students in USD | Annual Cost for Graduate Students in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition | 29,754 to 31,026 | 15,102 |
| Campus Fee | 1,914 | 1,020 |
| Books and Supplies | 1,482 | 1,521 |
| Living Expenses | 12,837 to 18,276 | 18,276 to 19,671 |
| Transportation Costs | 669 to 1,086 | 2,820 |
| UC Student Health Insurance | 3,192 | 6,201 |
| Personal Expenses | 1,596 to 1,797 | 2,439 |
| Phone | 321 | - |
| TOTAL | 60,828 | 60,849 to 62,244 |
University of California Santa Barbara Scholarships
UCSB offers a range of scholarships to study in USA to provide critical support to its student in achieving success. Students have received more than 4.5 million USD worth of scholarships with the support of donors.
The International Student Award provides assistance to students in J-1 or F-1 visa status who are experiencing economic hardship while studying. The award amount is determined as per the financial requirement of the student.
Financial Aid for Undergraduate International Students is a resource providing information for needful undergraduate students in non-immigrant status. This scholarship covers tuition, various fees, travel cost, health and medical expenses, and personal expenses during term, like telephone, clothing, entertainment, etc.
University of California Santa Barbara Placements
Around 84% of the recent UC Santa Barbara graduates secured full-time or part-time employment after graduation. Some top employers employing UCSB graduates are, UCSB, CISCO, Amazon, EY, KPMG, Oracle, Google, Stanford, Adobe, and IBM among others.
UC Santa Barbara graduates reportedly earn an average salary of 85,000 USD per annum (70.86 lakhs INR). The average salary of UC Santa Barbara graduates according to their chosen professions are provided in the following table:
| Profession | Average Annual Salary in USD | Equivalent Salary for Indian Students in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 102,590 | 85.15 lakhs |
| Mechanical Engineer | 80,550 | 66.86 lakhs |
| Project Manager | 80,670 | 66.96 lakhs |
| Human Resources Manager | 72,200 | 59.93 lakhs |
| Customer Success Manager | 77,700 | 64.49 lakhs |
| Marketing Manager | 78,350 | 65.03 lakhs |
University of California Santa Barbara Alumni
UCSB Alumni is a growing community of over 250,000 members. The faculty and alumni of UCSB has won 7 Nobel Prizes. UCSB alumni has a huge overall annual impact of 1 billion USD. Annually, students spend 64 million USD on food and entertainment, while visitors spend around 30 million USD.
University of California Santa Barbara Notable Alumni
| Alumni | Designation | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Douglas | American actor and film producer | Received two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award |
| Jack Johnson | American singer-songwriter | Known for his works in the soft rock and acoustic pop genres like Better Together, Upside Down, Banana Pancakes, among others |
| Eric Roth | American screenwriter | Nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay — for Forrest Gump, The Insider, Munich, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, A Star Is Born, and Dune, and won for Forrest Gump |
| Katy Tur | American author and broadcaster | Known for hosting Katy Tur Reports as an anchor for MSNBC |
UC Santa Barbara is known for ranking consistently among the top 10 public schools in USA. The social, collaborative community of the university provides a quality student life to international candidates. Over 80 current or former student of UCSB are elected fellows of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science.
FAQs
Ques. Is UC Santa Barbara a good university?
Ans. Yes. UC Santa Barbara is a "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" classified institute. The university has consistently ranked among the top 10 public universities in USA. UCSB is a hub of research and innovation with 10 national Institutes and Centers, 29 National Academy of Engineering members, 45 American Academy of Arts and Sciences members, and, 50+ researchers advancing energy efficiency. The rankings of UC Santa Barbara according to various top ranking agencies are as follows:
| Ranking Type | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #163 | #149 | #146 | #152 |
| THE World University Rankings | #69 | #64 | #68 | #68 |
| U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities | - | #67 | #67 | #56 |
| ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) | - | - | #57 | #57 |
Ques. Is UC Santa Barbara hard to get into?
Ans. Yes. Getting into UC Santa Barbara is a hard nut to crack. UCSB exhibits an overall acceptance rate of 27.9%, reflecting the highly stringent admission policy of the university. The university has a graduate acceptance rate of only 20%, displaying the more selective admission process.
Ques. What GPA is required for UC Santa Barbara?
Ans. For admission to the undergraduate and graduate programs in UC Santa Barbara, students require a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale (88%) for non-California residents. Admitted students in the undergraduate programs, however, has demonstrated a mean GPA of 4.08.
Ques. How much is the annual tuition at UC Santa Barbara?
Ans. International students can estimate to spend an annual tuition fee of 29,754 to 31,026 USD (24.80 to 25.86 lakhs INR) for undergraduate programs and 15,102 USD (12.59 lakhs INR) for graduate programs.
Ques. How much is the average salary of UC Santa Barbara graduates?
Ans. On average, UCSB graduates earn a salary of 85,000 USD per year (70.86 lakhs INR). Some highly pursued professions by UCSB graduates and their respective average annual salaries are as follows:
| Profession | Average Annual Salary in USD | Equivalent Salary for Indian Students in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 102,590 | 85.53 lakhs |
| Mechanical Engineer | 80,550 | 67.15 lakhs |
| Project Manager | 80,670 | 67.25 lakhs |
| Human Resources Manager | 72,200 | 60.19 lakhs |
| Customer Success Manager | 77,700 | 64.77 lakhs |
| Marketing Manager | 78,350 | 65.32 lakhs |
Ques. Where do UC Santa Barbara graduates work?
Ans. UC Barbara graduates have secured employment across some globally renowned companies like Google, Amazon, EY, KPMG, Oracle, UCSB, CISCO, Stanford, Adobe, and IBM among others.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
81
Fee from
₹19,45,537.77
Exams
TOEFL · IELTS
Showing 5 of 55 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 14.6 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 15,588 /Yr
Living Expense₹2213975
Estimated Total₹3270964
Fee trendTuition progression
Admission Guide
Admission Process
University of California Santa Barbara Admissions 2022
University of California Santa Barbara is a leading public research university located in the picturesque seaside location of Santa Barbara, California, United States. Initially it was established in 1891 as an independent college it joined the University of California community in 1944. University of California Santa Barbara has been placed among the top public universities in USA by U.S. News & World Report, 2022.
- How many programs are offered? UCSB admission is granted in more than 200 majors, degrees and credentials including over 90 undergraduate majors and 50+ graduate courses.
- How many centres are there? The institute has five schools, covering most diverse fields to cater to a large number of students planning to pursue higher education in USA.
- Is it hard to get into UC Santa Barbara? University of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 37% for freshmen applicants while 59% for transfer applicants.
- How many students are enrolled? UCSB has a total of 26,314 students. Out of them, 23,349 are undergraduate students enrolled in 2,450 programs offered in each quarter through three undergraduate colleges of UCSB namely, The college of Creative studies, the College of Letters and Science, and The College of Engineering.
- How much is the research funding? UCSB supports undergraduate research through the funding of $320,000 grants each year. Around 50% of UCSB Undergraduate students are involved in some kind of research or creative projects.
- Can international students get scholarships? UCSB provides various kinds of financial assistance to 70% of its undergraduate students.
- What are the placement opportunities? Every year more than 400 top companies visit UCSB for placement and internships.
To improve their chances of getting accepted at the University of California, Santa Barbara, applicants need to ensure that they attain minimum requirements as per the latest incoming class of 2022-2023:
- High School GPA: 4.04–4.28
- ACT Composite Score: 27–34
- ACT English Language Arts: 26–31
- SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 630–730
- SAT Mathematics: 650–790
- SAT Essay: 15–18.
UCSB Admission Deadlines
When to apply? Students are advised to submit their applications prior to the deadlines for them to be considered for admission. Students submitting the late application will be considered on the basis of space available. International applicants are advised to submit separate application for scholarships for international students in USA prior to deadlines.
| Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Freshmen applicant | Fall - November 30 Winter quarter/spring semester – July 31 |
| Transfer applicant | September 30 |
| FAFSA submission | March 2 |
| SIR submission | Freshman – may 1 Transfer – June 1 |
The institute provides a range of courses for international students, application deadlines for various intakes, which are as mentioned below.
| Types of Application | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Creation of UC portal | August 1 |
| Submission of UC application (Domestic/International applicants Fall semester) | November 1–30 |
| Last month to take SAT/ACT | December |
| Submission of academic transcripts | July 1 |
| Submission of official test scores | July 15 |
| Deadline for graduate application | Varies by course |
UC Santa Barbara International Admissions
The University of California is home to international students from around 79 countries, and the total international student population totals up at about 14% of the total student population at UIC which is 3,261 in number. The top countries in origin at the institute include China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong and Iran.
How to apply? Each country has a specific set of requirements for its students, for India, the particular requirement includes at least 70% score in the 12th standard board exams. International student admissions are similar to that of domestic admissions. One of the exams to study in USA, Duolingo test for English proficiency is highly recommended for international applicants.
Where to apply? Online via the University of California website
How much is the application fee? 80 USD (Non refundable)
What are the basic admission requirements? The admission requirements are as follows:
- Academic transcripts
- All degrees, records of previous education
- Course by course evaluation was needed
- All materials should be in English or provided along with a translated one
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Official scores of standardized exams to study in USA
- Supplemental requirements
- Resume
- Portfolios
- SOP
- Interviews
- Financial statement/ proof of funding
- LOR
- Copy of the passport.
International students require an ATA evaluation of the transcripts to be submitted as a part of the admission process. A mandatory, non-refundable 50 USD International Credential Evaluation Fee is assessed for all undergraduate degree-seeking applicants who have post-secondary coursework taken outside the United States. The documents are not returned back and so, only photocopies are required to be submitted.
English Proficiency Test Scores
What are the English proficiency requirements? The international applicants are required to exhibit proficiency in English by submitting scores of the tests given below:
Students should keep in mind that TOEFL and IELTS scores shouldn’t be more than 2 years old. Some programs may require interviews in order to test the applicant’s English speaking skills.
Country-specific Requirements
What are the country specific requirements? The Country-wise Academic requirements are given below:
| Country | Academic requirements |
|---|---|
| India | All India Senior Certificate or Higher Secondary Certificate with minimum 70% or completed 10th and 12th from recognized central or state board. |
| Thailand | Completed Mathayom 6 (Upper Secondary Education certificate) with minimum 75 percent. |
| Taiwan | Completed Senior High School Leaving Certificate with an average of minimum 80% |
| China | Senior High School Graduate Certificate and Graduation Certificate from upper middle school. |
| Jordan | Completed Tawjihi or General Secondary Education Certificate with an average of minimum 75% |
What are the steps of application? The application steps are as follows:
- Select the program and term in which you want to apply
- Create an account
- Submit all the documents required
- After submitting the application, check the confirmation page as it will have some important reminders and your UC Application ID Number.
Visa Process for International Students
How to apply for US student visa? If accepted by UCSB, all international students will need to obtain a US student visa, usually an F-1 or a J-1 visa. A visa document is required to apply for these visas (I-20/ DS-2019) respectively.
Overseas students can take help from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) regarding visa-related or immigration-related queries. The visa document will be issued once the student has paid their enrollment deposit and successfully provided evidence of their financial ability. International applicants will need these documents for the visa process:
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Form I-20
- Admission letter
- DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application- online
- Financial documents to show the ability to afford expenses for a year of study at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Copy of valid passport identification page (should be valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry into the US.)
- Two passport size photographs
- Visa application fee
- Official financial affidavit (if required).
Applicants would need to schedule a visa interview in their home countries once the documents have been submitted.
UCSB Undergraduate Admissions
How to apply to UG programs? UCSB offers 90+ programs from over 45 departments for its undergraduate students including Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science, Anthropology, Applied Mathematics, Asian American Studies. Admission to most UC Santa Barbara undergraduate courses requires the following.
Where to apply? Online through UCSB’s official website
How much is the Application fee? 70 USD (~5,271 INR)
What are the academic requirements? All applicants must fulfil the following admission eligibility criteria:
- Must have completed a minimum of 15 University of California approved “A-G” courses with grades of C or better.
- Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all “A-G” courses
- Performance of the candidate in extracurricular activities
- SAT or ACT score (due to COVID-19 pandemic UCSB will not use the scores of SAT or ACT for the selection process for fall 2022).
UC Santa Barbara Graduate Admissions
How many graduate programs are available? More than 50 master's and doctoral programs are offered by the University of California, Santa Barbara. General admission requirements for many UC Santa Barbara graduate courses may remain the same, but some departments may have different or additional requirements.
Where to apply? UCSB accepts only online applications for graduate programs via Online Graduate Application Portal. Students must note that no simultaneous applications are accepted for one quarter.
How much is the application fee? The application fee for domestic and international applicants is 105 USD and 125 USD, respectively.
What are the eligibility criteria? The Graduate School has not set any minimum test score standards for students. The majority of the courses require a GRE score (not older than 5 years). However, few courses have specific requirements:
| Department | Academic Requirement |
|---|---|
| Department of Art | Requires no GRE test score |
| Technology Management Program | Requires either GRE/ GMAT |
| Gevirtz Graduate School of Education | Requires GRE/Miller Analogies Test (MAT) |
What are the supporting documents? SOP, Personal Achievements or Contributions statement, LOR, academic transcripts, Resume/ CV, and other supplementary documents required specifically by the department.
UC Santa Barbara MS in Computer Science
When to apply? The last date to apply for a graduate program in Computer Science is December 15.
What are the academic requirements? The application requirements are as follows:
| Academic Requirement | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| GPA | 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale |
| GRE | No standard score set for applicants; satisfactory performance in Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical sections is sufficient |
| English Requirement for international students | IELTS 7.0 Internet-based TOEFL 80 Paper-based TOEFL 550 |
Supporting Documents: Completed online application, SOP for Computer Science, personal achievements/contribution statement, Resume/CV, 3 LOR, unofficial academic transcripts, GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores.
UC Santa Barbara MS in ECE
When to apply? The last date to apply for MS in ECE is December 15.
What are the academic requirements? There is no set standard score for GRE. Only the GRE General test is required and not the GRE subject test.
What are the supporting documents required? Statement of purpose, resume/curriculum vitae, personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts.
UC Barbara MS in Technology Management
How many application rounds are there? There are 4 sets of application rounds with varying deadlines –
- Round I: October 15
- Round II: January 15
- Round III: March 1
- Round IV: May 1
What are the academic requirements? GPA of at least 3.0/ B average equivalent at UG level. Additionally, students are required to submit GRE/ GMAT score not older than 5 years and TOEFL/IELTS score, if required.
What are the supporting documents required? Statement of purpose, statement of personal achievement, resume/CV, 3 LOR, and admission interview.
UC Santa Barbara M.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
When to apply? The last date to submit the application and supporting documents is February 25, 2019. Please note that the applications are accepted only for the Fall season.
What are the academic requirements? Only the GRE General test is required; the GRE subject test can be taken in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Biology and Chemistry, although not mandatory.
Additionally, international applicants are required to submit TOEFL score.
What are the supporting documents required? Scanned copy of official academic transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, personal achievement/Contributions, Resume/CV.
- Once the application has been submitted successfully, applicants can check their status by logging into their applicant portal. Freshman applicants can expect decisions in mid-March whereas Transfer applicants can expect admission notification by April 22.
- Applicants who have opted for various graduate programs will need to confirm with their respective departments for an estimated date for notification.
- International students applying at the University of California, Santa Barbara are recommended to send across their admission documents as early as 4-5 months before the deadlines. Also, international applicants should have excellent personal statements and recommendation letters.
Applicants can contact the international student office anytime in the office hours or can even mail them if any query persists. Applicants seeking to study in the USA should keep on checking their application status as it is highly required. Some applicants may also be interviewed for English proficiency checks, a test that is highly recommended for international applicants is the duo lingo English proficiency test.
FAQs
Ques: What is the application submission deadline for International students?
Ans: The application submission deadline for international students is the same as the domestic students i.e. 30th November.
Ques: Do I have to submit an SAT or ACT score?
Ans: SAT and ACT scores are optional.
Ques: How can I check my admission decision?
Ans: Applicants can check their admission decision by logging into their UCSB applicant portal because UCSB does not intimate applicants about their admission decision through Email.
Placements & Recruiters
UC-Santa Barbara Placement Details
UC-Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Santa Barbara, California, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric
Average Package
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Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2022
Highlights
2022
2022
- Best overall country rank: #28
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering: #7 in country
- Top source: ARWU
- 28 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Architecture
- 5 ranking records in 2022
2023
Highlights
2023
2023
- Best overall country rank: #26
- Geography: #11 in country
- Top source: THE
- 31 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
- 3 ranking records in 2023
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Best overall country rank: #21
- Physics: #10 in country
- Top source: QS
- 30 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
- 3 ranking records in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Best overall country rank: #25
- Geography: #6 in country
- Top source: QS
- 26 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
- 4 ranking records in 2025
2026
Highlights
2026
2026
- Best overall country rank: #25
- Engineering: #24 in country
- Top source: Collegedunia
- 6 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
- 3 ranking records in 2026
Contact Information
Student Reviews & Ratings
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
7.2/10
Top Rated
Based on 6 ratings
Rating Breakdown
Visual summary of rating distribution and categories
Live Summary
Academic
8.3/10
Faculty
8.0/10
Infrastructure
6.3/10
Accommodation
6.3/10
Placement
5.8/10
Extracurricular
8.3/10