UCSB vs. HIU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than HIU based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Hope International University is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Hope International University 13:1.

UCSB vs. HIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or HIU? 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 HIU ($17,658 vs. $29,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 36.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($12,950 vs. $20,279).
• Hope International University is 131.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $21,636 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at UCSB than at Hope International University (about $12,564 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $38,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope International University than at University of California Santa Barbara (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Hope International University students ($24,695 vs. $22,474).

UCSB vs. HIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 320 points higher than at HIU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Hope International University 840/1220.
• 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; HIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; HIU Aug 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at HIU (3.26).
• HIU has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 38.4% at HIU.

UCSB vs. HIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and HIU? 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 Hope International University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than HIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $9,549 lower median loan debt than HIU graduates ($16,451 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HIU graduates ($170 vs. $268).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 58%)

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.