UCSB vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UCSB vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($17,658 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 16.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,960 vs. $20,279).
• Westmont College is 226.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $37,170 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $2,970 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Santa Barbara (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 57.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($38,956 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is the same as at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UCSB vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,672 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($170 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.