UCSB vs. Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (59,238 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1.

UCSB vs. Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Illinois? 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than UCSB ($13,973 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign are 28.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,522 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $410 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at UCSB than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $15,490 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 28% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($24,695 vs. $19,299).

UCSB vs. Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or Illinois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Illinois and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 70 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Illinois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Illinois Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UCSB students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (42.4%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 28.8% at Illinois.

UCSB vs. Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Illinois? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $4,049 lower median loan debt than Illinois graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois graduates ($170 vs. $211).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.