Caltech vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with University of California Santa Barbara 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 Caltech based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

Caltech vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or UCSB? 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 California Institute of Technology than UCSB ($14,513 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 0% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($20,279 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 301.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $49,484 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at Caltech than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $15,284 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Institute of Technology as at University of California Santa Barbara (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 193.1% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($72,373 vs. $24,695).

Caltech vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 210 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

Caltech vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and UCSB? 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $26,800 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,101 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($14,350 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($148 vs. $170).

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.