UCSD vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

UCSD vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than UCSB ($14,047 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 6.5% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,970 vs. $20,279).
• University of California San Diego is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $344 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at UCSD than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $344 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of California Santa Barbara (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 4.3% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($25,757 vs. $24,695).

UCSD vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 30 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at UCSB (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

UCSD vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,049 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($16,451 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($170 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.