UCSB vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

UCSB vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or SCU? 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 SCU ($17,658 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 1.9% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,893 vs. $20,279).
• Santa Clara University is 273.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $44,879 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at SCU than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $10,679 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at University of California Santa Barbara (71% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 14.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($28,368 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 70 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming SCU 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 17.7% at SCU.

UCSB vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and SCU? 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,049 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($16,451 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.