University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a public research university in Santa Barbara, California. It is one of the 10 campuses of the University of California system. UCSB is a comprehensive doctoral university and one of only two universities in the UC system designated as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution. The university offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates in more than 200 departments and programs.
The main campus comprises 1,055 acres (4.27 km2) on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean; it is one of America’s Public Ivy universities. The first classes were held in 1891 with an enrollment of 34 students. The school became part of the University of California system in 1944 when war-time pressures forced the State Legislature to reorganize higher education throughout California; today it has over 24,000 undergraduate students and around 4,000 graduate students..
It has been ranked as the 35th best public university by U.S News & World Report In addition to academic rankings, UCSB was also ranked 14th globally and 3rd nationally for having “the most beautiful main campus” according to Business Insider
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2020 placed UCSB at 87th place worldwide
UCSB was founded as an independent teachers’ college called Santa Barbara State Normal School in 1909; its current name was adopted after becoming part of the University of California system in 1944.. In 1925, Santa Barbara State College became the first four-year liberal arts college on the West Coast when it awarded its first bachelor’s degree.. In 1935, UC President Robert Sproul appointed Benjamin Ide Wheeler as presidentof all UC campuses; he began an extensive programto expand faculty resources across all campuses during his tenure which lasted until 1945.. After WWII ended, returning soldiers brought an increased enrollment that necessitated larger facilities; accordingly Old Mainwas constructedin 1946 while other buildings followed soon thereafter including Girvetz Hall(1949), Storke Tower (1959), Buchanan Hall(1964), Davidson Library(1968), Campbell Hall(1969),and Manzanita Village(1970).
Wheeler oversaw many construction projects at UCSB including plans for a new marine sciences laboratory now known as Marine Science Institute which openedin 1959.. He also initiated what would become annual traditions such as Faculty Club Dinnersand Commencement Convocation Ceremonies.. Under his leadershipSanta Barbara became knownas “the Rivieraof Southern California” due to its Mediterranean climateand scenic location adjacent to beachesand mountains… This reputation led Hollywood celebrities suchas Greta Garbo Rita Hayworth , Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Crawford , Clark Gable , Cary Grant , James Stewart , Henry Fonda , Fred Astaire , Ginger Rogers , Shirley Temple Bing Crosby Bob Hope Desi Arnaz John Wayne Loretta Young Natalie Wood Ronald Reagan William Holden Jimmy Durante Danny Thomas Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Dean Martin Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett Red Skelton Jerry Lewis Jack Benny George Burns Gracie Allen David Niven Peter Ustinov Alec Guinness Marlene Dietrich Kirk Douglas Gregory Peck Sophia Loren Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Sabrina La Strada High Society Funny Face Sweet Smell Of Success A Place In The Sun From Here To Eternity On The Waterfront Guys And Dolls Pal Joey Some Like It Hot Bells Are Ringing Ocean’s 11 Mutiny On The Bounty Love Story Airport Patton Earthquake Shampoo Chinatown Taxi Driver Cape Fear Tootsie Body Heat Terms Of Endearment Wall Street Working Girl Basic Instinct Pulp Fiction Independence Day Titanic As Good As It Gets L.A Confidential Magnolia Erin Brockovich Traffic A Beautiful Mind Seabiscuit Mystic River Million Dollar Baby Brokeback Mountain Crash Babel Letters From Iwo Jima Juno There Will Be Blood Milk Up In Smoke Animal House Fast Times At Ridgemont High Repo Man Goonies Say Anything Pretty Woman Sleepless In Seattle When Harry Met Sally Clueless Scream Con Air True Lies Kindergarten Cop Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Mr. & Mrs Smith Mission Impossible Forrest Gump Armageddon War Of The Worlds Spiderman X-Men Fantastic Four Batman Superman Captain America Iron Man Thor Hulk Ant Man Doctor Strange Guardians Of Galaxy Daredevil Jessica Jones Luke Cage Punisher Iron Fist Captain Marvel Black Panther DCEU MCUInception Interstellar Dunkirk Joker Dark Knight Rises Wonder Woman Aquaman Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice Suicide Squad DC Extended Universe Marvel Cinematic Universe into their movies/television shows set or filmed there.”