UCSB vs. Scripps College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Scripps College based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Scripps College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Scripps College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Scripps College 10:1.

UCSB vs. Scripps College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Scripps College? 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 Scripps College ($17,658 vs. $44,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 8.4% lower than at Scripps College ($20,279 vs. $22,136).
• Scripps College is 301.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $49,536 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at Scripps College than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $15,336 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Scripps College than at University of California Santa Barbara (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Scripps College students is 74.8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($43,168 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Scripps College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Scripps College (1490) is 140 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Scripps College 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; Scripps College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Scripps College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Scripps College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Scripps College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Scripps College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Scripps College has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 25.6% at Scripps College.

UCSB vs. Scripps College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Scripps College? 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).

• Scripps College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Scripps College earn a median of about $300 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scripps College graduates have a $2,451 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($14,000 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Scripps College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($144 vs. $170).
• More Scripps College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.