UCSB vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

UCSB vs. Northeastern University Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($17,658 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 3.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,580 vs. $20,279).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 312.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $51,364 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $17,164 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Barbara (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 134.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($57,948 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Northeastern University Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University Oakland (1470) is 120 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Northeastern University Oakland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Northeastern University Oakland 32/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Northeastern University Oakland (16.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

UCSB vs. Northeastern University Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,049 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($170 vs. $242).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.