UCSB undeclared or CSULB computer science

I want to major in computer science, but I have the choice of either going to UCSB as undeclared (I was rejected from the college of engineering) or CSULB as computer science. The UCSB portal said that transferring into the college of engineering was extremely unlikely and rare, so my question is what is better for me down the line as someone wanting to be in the programming field, UCSB where I can try to transfer in computer science with a chance I might have to choose a different major or CSULB where I’m guaranteed in computer science?

If you want to major in CS, go to CSULB, since UCSB is telling you up front that “transferring into the college of engineering was extremely unlikely and rare” (and CS is in engineering at UCSB). https://www.cs.ucsb.edu/education/undergrad/admissions has more information on changing into CS at UCSB.

Now, there is a computing major in UCSB’s CCS, but it does not look from the web site like there is any way to change into CCS once enrolled. But you can ask directly to get that information directly.

Thank you for your answer! I looked at the computing major requirements and it’d be highly unlikely to even meet the requirements unfortunately. I have another question, if it’s given that I’m going to try to transfer into either UCI or UCSD, would it better to stay in UCSB then? My friend said if I’m going to try to transfer, it’s going to be better if I go to UCSD as undeclared.

Going to UCSB undeclared when you really want to major in CS and want to try to transfer is like using UCSB as a (probably more expensive) community college, so why not go to a lower cost community college if transferring is the goal? https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major indicates that UCI and UCSD CS are quite competitive for transfer admission.

Also, UCI CS has a lot of lower division course requirements are are unique and cannot be covered at other colleges (CCs, CSUs, other UCs), so a transfer to UCI CS should plan on a few extra quarters to “catch up” after transfer before taking upper division CS courses. See http://www.assist.org .

If you are set on CS, CSULB with direct admission to CS is the safest option.

I see, thank you very much, you’ve been very helpful!