UCSB vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (38,464 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); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

UCSB vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than UCSB ($15,522 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 29.3% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,332 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 86.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $7,615 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at UCSB than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $17,767 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (53% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 111.5% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($24,695 vs. $11,675).

UCSB vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 40 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UCSB vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $4,331 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($170 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.