UCSB vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

UCSB vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($17,658 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 7.9% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($20,279 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 279.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $45,943 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at Loyola Marymount than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $11,743 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount 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 1.6% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($24,695 vs. $24,318).

UCSB vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is the same as at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Loyola Marymount).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

UCSB vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,217 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($16,451 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($170 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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.