California university is ranked top party school in the US

A California university has been ranked the top party school in the U.S.  

The University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) has won first place for the '2025 top party schools' for the third straight year, according to the ranking site Niche.

The education research website annually compiles a diverse database, which includes more than 500,000 student reviews regarding their U.S. colleges.

The five categories that are used to create the ranking spots include bar accessibility, restaurant access, Greek life, school athletics, and transparent student surveys. 

The school's sun-kissed glow, beachfront campus, and mountain views have been fittingly dubbed as 'Deltopia' by partygoers.

A California university has been ranked the top party school in the US

The University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) has won first place for the '2025 top party schools' for the third straight year, according to the ranking site Niche

A junior student remarked about the school in late July and noted: 'It is literally heaven on Earth for an 18-21 year old, as long as you don’t overdo it.

'You need to prioritize school over partying because the academic load is quite rigorous.'

Other students added that the 'party school' is 'stunning.'

Annually, the university hosts their 'Deltopia' street party, which often gets the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office heavily involved.

The event, which is located on Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista, usually brings outs thousands of attendees - many of whom get arrested, citations, or require medical help.

In 2023, police officers made 23 arrests, and issued 151 citations, according to the Sheriff's Office.

There was a 500 per cent increase in arrests, and a 400 per cent increase in citations in 2023, compared to the previous year.

However, law enforcement did note that the crowds were 'significantly higher,' in 2023, due to many visitors from outside the campus area being in attendance.

The education research website annually compiles a diverse database, which includes more than 500,000 student reviews regarding their U.S. colleges

The five categories that are used to create the ranking spots include bar accessibility, restaurant access, Greek life, school athletics, and transparent student surveys

The school's sun-kissed glow, beachfront campus, and mountain views have been fittingly dubbed as 'Deltopia' by partygoers

A junior student remarked about the school in late July and noted: 'It is literally heaven on Earth for an 18-21 year old, as long as you don’t overdo it'

In 2022, there were only four arrests and 34 issued citations. 

Authorities shared that their staff was 'inundated' with medical calls, and most of them were regarding alcohol poisoning.             

The Sheriff's spokesperson Raquel Zick, noted to KTLA that out of desperation for help, the Sheriff's Office activated their volunteer and rescue team.

The volunteers provided assistance to the fire department and paramedics, and most locals also helped put an end to the out-of-control festivities. 

In 2019, there were 38 arrests, 94 issues citations and 19 people were hospitalized. 

The annual Deltopia event began almost two decades ago.

Previously, the party was referred to as 'Floatopia,' because participants would celebrate at the beach, while they were in rafts and innertubes.

Only a few years after it's launch, the Santa Barbara county officials ended the event because of excessive littering on beaches and neighbor complaints.

The student continued: 'You need to prioritize school over partying because the academic load is quite rigorous.' Other students added that the 'party school' is 'stunning'

Annually, the university hosts their 'Deltopia' street party, which often gets the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office heavily involved

Afterwards, UC Santa Barbara didn't provide its stamp of approval for the event and attempted to deter student from continuing to attend it.

In 2014, the party had its most attendees, which peaked at more than 20,000 people, and lead to riots breaking out, and many arrests and citations.

During that year's drastic party, there were more than 130 arrests, and 50 participants were hospitalized. 

Since those troublesome times, authorities have attempted to proactively decrease arrests and medical calls by setting up parking restrictions, and launching campaigns in an effort to keep the event 'local.'

'Deltopia' did not take place in 2020 nor 2021 due to the pandemic.

The University of Oklahoma took second place on Niche's 2025 annual party school ranking, and the University of Cincinnati took the third spot.