UCI vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, 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 Irvine is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

UCI vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 Irvine than UCSB ($15,889 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 6.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,991 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $692 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at UCSB than at University of California Irvine (about $692 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at University of California Santa Barbara (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 6.9% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($24,695 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCI (3.75).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

UCI vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $549 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($16,451 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($170 vs. $175).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.