University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham 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: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham ($17,658 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 30.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,170 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 80.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $7,316 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.3% higher at UCSB than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $28,052 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of California Santa Barbara (90% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 124% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($24,695 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at UCSB (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,049 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($16,451 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 52%)

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.