UCSB vs. Colorado School of Mines

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Colorado School of Mines based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 8,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Colorado School of Mines is in Golden, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado School of Mines is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Colorado School of Mines 18:1.

UCSB vs. Colorado School of Mines Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Colorado School of Mines? 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 Colorado School of Mines ($17,658 vs. $29,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado School of Mines are 13.6% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($17,531 vs. $20,279).
• Colorado School of Mines is 33.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $5,500 more per year; $21,914.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at UCSB than at Colorado School of Mines (about $4,790 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $45,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado School of Mines than at University of California Santa Barbara (96% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 101.7% larger than aid received by Colorado School of Mines students ($24,695 vs. $12,246).

UCSB vs. Colorado School of Mines Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or Colorado School of Mines? 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 Colorado School of Mines and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado School of Mines (1400) is 50 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Colorado School of Mines (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Colorado School of Mines 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Colorado School of Mines 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Colorado School of Mines - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Colorado School of Mines Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado School of Mines students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Colorado School of Mines has a higher acceptance rate (60.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 23.1% at Colorado School of Mines.

UCSB vs. Colorado School of Mines Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Colorado School of Mines? 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 Colorado School of Mines's (70%).
• Graduates from Colorado School of Mines earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $9,549 lower median loan debt than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($16,451 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado School of Mines graduates ($170 vs. $268).
• More Colorado School of Mines graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.