Alabama vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

Alabama vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 Alabama ($17,658 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 26% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($15,016 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $4,234 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.1% higher at UCSB than at The University of Alabama (about $16,442 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of California Santa Barbara (80% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 41.1% larger than aid received by The University of Alabama students ($24,695 vs. $17,503).

Alabama vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 60 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

Alabama vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,299 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($170 vs. $245).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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.