UCSB vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (38,799 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); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

UCSB vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or CU Boulder? 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 CU Boulder ($17,658 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 8.9% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,468 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Boulder (about $748 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at UCSB than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $5,696 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $44,918.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara as at University of Colorado Boulder (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 120% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($24,695 vs. $11,225).

UCSB vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 10 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at CU Boulder (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

UCSB vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and CU Boulder? 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 Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,049 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($170 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.