UC Berkeley vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Berkeley vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley than UCSB ($16,538 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 14.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,279 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $67 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at UCSB than at University of California Berkeley (about $67 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley as at University of California Santa Barbara (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 19.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($29,608 vs. $24,695).

UC Berkeley vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 70 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

UC Berkeley vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $2,251 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($14,200 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($146 vs. $170).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.