UCSB vs. UT Dallas

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Dallas is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (29,886 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); The University of Texas at Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.

UCSB vs. UT Dallas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or UT Dallas? 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 The University of Texas at Dallas than UCSB ($14,916 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Dallas are 28.8% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,430 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Dallas (about $1,770 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $14,644.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at UCSB than at The University of Texas at Dallas (about $10,470 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $40,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Dallas than at University of California Santa Barbara (64% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 65.6% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students ($24,695 vs. $14,909).

UCSB vs. UT Dallas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 60 points higher than at UT Dallas (1290).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at UT Dallas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; The University of Texas at Dallas 1160/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UT Dallas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UT Dallas (3.78).
• UT Dallas has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.

UCSB vs. UT Dallas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and UT Dallas? 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).

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than The University of Texas at Dallas's (61%).
• Graduates of University of California Santa Barbara and UT Dallas have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $59,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,299 lower median loan debt than UT Dallas graduates ($16,451 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Dallas graduates ($170 vs. $193).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Dallas students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 64%)

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.