Biola University vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, CA with University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Biola University based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 5,434 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Biola University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Biola University 15:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

Biola University vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or UCSB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Santa Barbara than Biola University ($17,658 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 35.3% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,130 vs. $20,279).
• Biola University is 198.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $32,570 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at UCSB than at Biola University (about $1,630 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Biola University than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($28,817 vs. $24,695).

Biola University vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or UCSB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSB and Biola University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 80 points higher than at Biola University (1270).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Biola University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Biola University (3.61).
• Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

Biola University vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University and UCSB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Biola University's (71%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Biola University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,049 lower median loan debt than Biola University graduates ($16,451 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Biola University graduates ($170 vs. $253).
• More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.