UCLA vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

UCLA vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 University of California Los Angeles than UCSB ($14,512 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 9.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,369 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $1,211 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at UCSB than at University of California Los Angeles (about $1,211 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at University of California Los Angeles (53% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Los Angeles students is 3.8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($25,627 vs. $24,695).

UCLA vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 70 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

UCLA vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $151 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($16,300 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($168 vs. $170).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.