UCSB vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Chapman University in Orange, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UCSB vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($17,658 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 12.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($17,814 vs. $20,279).
• Chapman University is 295.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $48,570 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Chapman than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $14,370 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Santa Barbara (88% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 43.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($35,434 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or Chapman? 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 Chapman and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is the same as at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UCSB vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Chapman? 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $4,487 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($170 vs. $216).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

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.