UCSB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

UCSB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($17,658 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 51.3% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($9,868 vs. $20,279).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 84.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $13,851 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.2% higher at UCSB than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $20,349 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic 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 45.4% larger than aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students ($24,695 vs. $16,982).

UCSB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and UCSB.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 230 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at John Paul the Great Catholic University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

UCSB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $9,299 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($170 vs. $266).

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.