If a safe campus is what you’re looking for, then a college town like UC Davis would probably be best suited for you. When I visited UCSB and the surrounding area I didn’t feel threatened or anything, but I probably wouldn’t be walking around at 3 AM or anything.
Thanks so much for the info
Doing some research on campus security is a great idea.
I’d encourage you to take a tour of the school and surrounding community while school is in session. While on the tour, ask about security/crime. After the tour, talk to some current students on campus and off about their experience.
In my experience, current students will gab your ear off about the good/bad/ugly and give you the best feel for what it’s really like.
I have a friend who is a police officer for the city of Davis - there’s no shortage of undesirables in that town either. Same is true of Chico, San Luis Obispo and any other ‘college town’ you’ll find.
If you want a more secure environment, Pepperdine really would also be worth a tour.
Thanks so much @Ncalrent. We did tour Pepperdine last summer. It is absolutely gorgeous. However, my daughter is really looking for a school with a “college town.” That is one thing that Pepperdine really doesn’t really have. LMU is very pretty, too, but same thing. She does still have many matches and safeties across the country that fit, and a few reaches. It is just a bummer to hear that a great school like UCSB is experiencing these issues. Anything can happen anywhere, but it seems like a pattern is forming and I would just rather that she avoid it. We were going to tour a few weeks ago, but put it off b/c I didn’t want her to fall in love and then to take it off the list. Luckily, it was never her number 1 (though that might have changed after seeing it!)
All large universities have some level of crime. In fact, UC Berkeley had three armed robberies in the past few weeks: http://www.dailycal.org/2015/08/12/crime-rise-constables-say-recent-kerfuffle/
My son attends UCSB. He has not experienced any crimes. He even lives on Del Playa and no problems. I live in Santa Barbara. I have not noticed any increase in the amount of crime as of late. When there is a succession of similar crimes, it usually involves the same perpetrators who eventually get caught and are off the street. Remember, there are over 23k students attending UCSB. With any large population, there will be some crime. The chance of any one student becoming a victim of crime is extremely slim.
I know this post was from a month ago but it just came out today that UCSB is the 3rd highest ranked UC in the system, so its a shame you are writing it off so quickly. Three sexual assaults in a year does not sound above average for a college campus. Most of the crime is not on campus, and is in isla vista usually by a person the student knows. In case of the robberies, I know one was with someone’s drug dealer, and I assume child wouldn’t have contact with a drug dealer. I don’t think anyone will be able to console you but it really isn’t incredibly more dangerous than UCLA or USC. There are a lot of affluent, over protective parents who send their children to UCSB.
Also there is a significant police presence at least recently in Isla Vista to keep things under control.
Thanks 
The Sheriff’s department has a ‘foot patrol’ in Isla Vista with a zero tolerance policy for shenanigans, yet for the most part they maintain the respect and appreciation of students: http://www.sbsheriff.org/ivfp.html, http://www.sbsheriff.org/ivfaqs.html. All freshman sit through orientation sessions geared toward educating them in personal safety and responsible behavior. Kids who prefer a more controlled environment should take advantage of the guaranteed 4 years in university housing, as UCSB still has a dire shortage of affordable off campus housing for students.
Thanks so much for that valuable info
It’s safe enough.
If you feel nervous walking around IV you can call for a Community Service Officer. They are students trained by the police who can escort you where you need to go.
@2018eastorwest Have you or your daughter visited UCI? I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much safer than Irvine.
I’m gonna play devil’s advocate and say no; it’s not entirely safe. This school has made national headlines multiple times in the past few years and it just goes to show that UCSB is not your typical college campus/community.
Also, I’d like to add that most sexual assault cases do not get reported to the police in college communities. Unfortunately, it’s all too common - especially here. Most of my friends agree we would never allow our daughters to come to this school.
you will be fine. But, if at anytime you feel like your safety is at risk all UCSB students have the ability to call a CSO . A CSO will come to wherever you are located and walk/bike you back to where you need to be. They are under the UCPolice Department. You will be fine