UCSB vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (41,137 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); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UCSB vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or San Diego 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 San Diego State University than UCSB ($14,704 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 11.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,279 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 88.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $7,686 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.3% higher at UCSB than at San Diego State University (about $29,286 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at San Diego State University (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 104.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($24,695 vs. $12,053).

UCSB vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or San Diego 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 San Diego State and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 150 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UCSB vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and San Diego 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $1,102 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($15,349 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($158 vs. $170).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

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.