Explore Santa Barbara Hillel
Located minutes from the beach in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Santa Barbara Hillel is a vibrant hub of Jewish student life. Noted for its relaxed, fun atmosphere and strong academics, UCSB has a thriving Jewish life, with the highest percentage of Jewish undergrads in the entire University of California system. Santa Barbara Hillel is students' Jewish Home Away From Home. We offer a safe, welcoming, and pluralistic Jewish community. An active Student Board and a growing number of students makes Santa Barbara Hillel an exciting student-powered place of Jewish possibility. From hikes to barbecues, from Shabbats to holidays, from arts workshops to influential speakers, from Birthright Israel trips to on-campus activism, from Israeli dancing to yoga in the sanctuary - Hillel has it all. Our Making WAVES initiative means that if we don't have it already, we'll give students the opportunity and resources to create it. We also stand up for students and help them stand up for their rights when faced with campus challenges. Santa Barbara Hillel is an ideal place for students to experience and create the Jewish future.This Hillel serves: University of California, Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara City College
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,000 Jewish Students (12.9%*)
23,181 Students
*Percent of population
23,181 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
450 Jewish Students (15.2%*)
2,952 Students
*Percent of population
2,952 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience Through Hillel
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator Yes
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
- Kosher Food Available No
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation No
- Israel Fellow Yes
- JLIC Educator No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant Yes
- Open Title VI Investigation No
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution Passed
Religious Services
Weekly student-led Friday night Shabbat services and dinner.
Frequency: Friday night only
Additional Campus Information
Visit University Website
- 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
- Private/Public Public
- Acceptance Rate 33%
- U.S. Region Pacific
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $13,146
- Tuition Out-of-State $51,204
- Out-of-State/Int’l 10% / 9%
- 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].