U of A vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ 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 Arizona is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona 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 Arizona 20:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

U of A vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($17,658 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 17.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,746 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $2,488 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at UCSB than at University of Arizona (about $8,336 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of California Santa Barbara (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 79.3% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($24,695 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 60 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

U of A vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,549 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($170 vs. $196).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.