UCSB vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (30,851 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

UCSB vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or OU? 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 OU ($17,658 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 32.8% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,630 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 67.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $6,617 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at UCSB than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $23,237 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 117.5% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($24,695 vs. $11,356).

UCSB vs. OU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 110 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at OU (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 29.3% at OU.

UCSB vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $300 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,549 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($170 vs. $206).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.