UCSB vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSB vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Florida State? 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 Florida State University than UCSB ($15,815 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 33.6% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,474 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 190.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $10,758 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.4% higher at UCSB than at Florida State University (about $31,828 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of California Santa Barbara (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 166.1% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($24,695 vs. $9,279).

UCSB vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 10 points higher than at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Florida State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

UCSB vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Florida State? 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 Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $4,299 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($170 vs. $214).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.