UCSB vs. La Verne

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than La Verne based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 5,021 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of La Verne is in La Verne, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of La Verne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of La Verne 10:1.

UCSB vs. La Verne Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or La Verne? 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 La Verne ($17,658 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of La Verne are 21.9% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($15,830 vs. $20,279).
• University of La Verne is 201.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $33,056 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at UCSB than at University of La Verne (about $1,144 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $49,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of La Verne than at University of California Santa Barbara (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of La Verne students is 64.8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($40,688 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. La Verne Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 240 points higher than at La Verne (1110).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 21 at La Verne).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of La Verne 986/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of La Verne 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; La Verne - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UCSB students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at La Verne (3.24).
• La Verne has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 9.8% at La Verne.

UCSB vs. La Verne Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and La Verne? 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 California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of La Verne's (58%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than La Verne graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,549 lower median loan debt than La Verne graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Verne graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Verne students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 51%)

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.