UCSB vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

UCSB vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or PLNU? 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 PLNU ($17,658 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 32.7% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,650 vs. $20,279).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 181.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $29,836 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at UCSB than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $4,364 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Santa Barbara (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($24,695 vs. $20,702).

UCSB vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 80 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UCSB vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and PLNU? 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 Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,549 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More PLNU 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.