UCSB vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

UCSB vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or UCSC? 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 UCSC ($17,658 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 1.6% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,948 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $409 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at UCSB than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $409 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at University of California Santa Barbara (57% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 8.4% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($24,695 vs. $22,774).

UCSB vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 90 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

UCSB vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and UCSC? 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 University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,508 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($170 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.