UCSB vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UCSB vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or USC? 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 USC ($17,658 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 1.7% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,931 vs. $20,279).
• University of Southern California is 339.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $55,683 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at USC than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $21,483 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California Santa Barbara (70% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 89.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($46,897 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 150 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming USC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 43.3% at USC.

UCSB vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $26,500 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,924 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($16,451 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($170 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.