UCSB vs. UOP

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than UOP based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of the Pacific is in Stockton, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Pacific is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of the Pacific 13:1.

UCSB vs. UOP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or UOP? 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 UOP ($17,658 vs. $31,670).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 15.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($17,190 vs. $20,279).
• University of the Pacific is 247.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $40,666 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at UOP than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $6,466 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at University of California Santa Barbara (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 66.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($41,111 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. UOP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 points higher than at UOP (1330).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of the Pacific 1183/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of the Pacific 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UOP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UOP Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 13.8% at UOP.

UCSB vs. UOP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and UOP? 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 the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of the Pacific earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,400 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,174 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($16,451 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($170 vs. $254).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

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.