UCSB vs. IU

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (48,424 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); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

UCSB vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or IU? 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 Indiana University Bloomington than UCSB ($17,270 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 31% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,984 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 35.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $4,270 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at UCSB than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $8,723 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $41,891.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Bloomington than at University of California Santa Barbara (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 135.5% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($24,695 vs. $10,487).

UCSB vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 60 points higher than at IU (1290).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at IU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; IU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at IU (3.74).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 18.2% at IU.

UCSB vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and IU? 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 Indiana University Bloomington's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $6,049 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($16,451 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($170 vs. $232).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 72%)

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.