UCSB vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UCSB vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or San Jose 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 Jose State University than UCSB ($13,892 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 3.3% lower than at San Jose State University ($20,279 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 95.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $8,004 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.9% higher at UCSB than at San Jose State University (about $29,604 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Santa Barbara (63% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 99.9% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($24,695 vs. $12,353).

UCSB vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 220 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UCSB vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $1,451 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.