California Baptist University vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, 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 California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Baptist 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: California Baptist University 21:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

California Baptist University vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist 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 California Baptist University ($17,658 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 40.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($12,140 vs. $20,279).
• California Baptist University is 151.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $24,814 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at UCSB than at California Baptist University (about $9,386 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $41,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 8.3% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($26,743 vs. $24,695).

California Baptist University vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or UCSB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSB and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 290 points higher than at California Baptist University (1060).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 21 at California Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UCSB students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California Baptist University (3.58).
• California Baptist University has a higher acceptance rate (84.9%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

California Baptist University vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and UCSB? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than California Baptist University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $10,549 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($16,451 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 58%)

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.