UCSB vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (29,077 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); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Clemson University 16:1.

UCSB vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($17,658 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 34.5% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,284 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $860 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at UCSB than at Clemson University (about $9,748 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $40,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at University of California Santa Barbara (75% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 116.8% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($24,695 vs. $11,389).

UCSB vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 20 points higher than at Clemson (1330).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Clemson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

UCSB vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Clemson? 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 Clemson University (80% vs. 80%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,049 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($16,451 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More Clemson 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.