UCSB vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Stanford University 6:1.

UCSB vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($17,658 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 4.9% lower than at Stanford University ($20,279 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 301.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $49,496 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at Stanford than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $15,296 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at University of California Santa Barbara (61% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 154.1% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($62,755 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 200 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

UCSB vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $63,900 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $3,976 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($12,475 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($128 vs. $170).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.