UCSB vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

UCSB vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than UCSB ($14,235 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 30.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,124 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 41.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $4,811 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at UCSB than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $8,511 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at University of Wisconsin Madison (53% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 39.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($24,695 vs. $17,741).

UCSB vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 100 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Wisconsin (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

UCSB vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,799 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($16,451 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($170 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.