UCSB vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

UCSB vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($17,658 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 32.9% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,600 vs. $20,279).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 242.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $39,748 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at SCI-Arc than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $5,548 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (53% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 72.6% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($42,627 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 220 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UCSB students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

UCSB vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $26,299 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($16,451 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $272 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($170 vs. $442).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 62%)

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.