UCSB vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (78,321 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); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

UCSB vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M ($17,658 vs. $21,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 35.9% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,008 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas A&M (about $3,260 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $13,154.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at UCSB than at Texas A&M University College Station (about $10,490 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $40,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas A&M University College Station than at University of California Santa Barbara (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 96.3% larger than aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students ($24,695 vs. $12,580).

UCSB vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 70 points higher than at Texas A&M (1280).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Texas A&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Texas A&M (3.68).
• Texas A&M has a higher acceptance rate (57.4%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

UCSB vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Texas A&M? 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).

• Texas A&M University College Station's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Texas A&M University College Station earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,299 lower median loan debt than Texas A&M graduates ($16,451 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas A&M graduates ($170 vs. $193).
• More Texas A&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.