Explore Santa Barbara Hillel
Located on the beach in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Santa Barbara Hillel is a vibrant hub of Jewish student life featuring one of the strongest Birthright Israel programs in the nation. Noted for its relaxed, fun atmosphere and strong academics, UC Santa Barbara is ranked as a "top 5 public university" in the country. UCSB has a thriving Jewish life, with the highest percentage of Jewish students and the most Jewish undergrads in the entire UC system. Santa Barbara Hillel enables students to connect with one another in a Jewish environment at their Jewish Home Away From Home. We offer a safe, welcoming, and pluralistic presence as a vibrant center of student life in Isla Vista. Santa Barbara Hillel is proactive in standing up for our students, building bridges, and fostering a positive campus climate. We are uniquely positioned to reach students at this formative time in their lives by providing them the tools they need as they create the Jewish future.This Hillel serves: University of California, Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara City College
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,000 Jewish Students (12.9%*)
23,232 Students
*Percent of population
23,232 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
450 Jewish Students (15.9%*)
2,836 Students
*Percent of population
2,836 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator Yes
- Kosher Food Available No
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation No
- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Minor
- Study Abroad in Israel University sponsored program, University approved programs, Accepts credit for Israel study abroad
- Israel Fellow No
- JLIC Educator No
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant Yes
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Status In-Progress
- Open Title VI Investigation Yes
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution Passed
- Anti-Israel Encampment, Spring 2024 Yes
Religious Services
Weekly student-led Friday night Shabbat services and dinner
Frequency: Contact this hillel
Additional Campus Information
Visit University Website
- Private/Public Public
- Acceptance Rate 28%
- U.S. Region Pacific
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $12,522
- Tuition Out-of-State $45,096
- Out-of-State/Int’l 10% / 10%
- Greek Life Yes
The Hillel College Guide aims to provide you with a snapshot of each local Hillel’s makeup and offerings. We recognize that there may be more information you need in order to better understand the campus reality, particularly around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If you would like additional information about a given campus’ offerings or action steps in those areas, please reach out to us at [email protected].