UCSB vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Occidental College 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 Oxy based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Occidental College 9:1.

UCSB vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($17,658 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 5.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,252 vs. $20,279).
• Occidental College is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $49,860 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Oxy than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $15,660 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of California Santa Barbara (75% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 47.4% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($36,400 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 100 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Oxy 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; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

UCSB vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Oxy? 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,201 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($170 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.