UCSB vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Dominican University of California is in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Dominican University of California 8:1.

UCSB vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($17,658 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 20.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,191 vs. $20,279).
• Dominican University of California is 217.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $35,747 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at DUofC than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $1,547 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at University of California Santa Barbara (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 38.6% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($34,224 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 90 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

UCSB vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and DUofC? 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $600 more per year than DUofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $10,549 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($16,451 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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.