UCSB vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (56,997 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 Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

UCSB vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus than UCSB ($11,784 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 9.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,405 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 26.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $3,441 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at UCSB than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $7,405 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 52.9% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($24,695 vs. $16,156).

UCSB vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at UW-Seattle).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

UCSB vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and UW-Seattle? 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).

• The graduation rate at UCSB is the same as at University of Washington Seattle Campus (80% vs. 80%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $1,451 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.