UCSB vs. Baruch

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Baruch based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 20,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; CUNY Bernard M Baruch College 19:1.

UCSB vs. Baruch Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Baruch? 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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College than UCSB ($4,326 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College are 7.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,832 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 119.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baruch (about $8,950 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $7,464.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 228.4% higher at UCSB than at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (about $35,200 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $15,414.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College than at University of California Santa Barbara (89% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 144.2% larger than aid received by CUNY Bernard M Baruch College students ($24,695 vs. $10,114).

UCSB vs. Baruch Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 100 points higher than at Baruch (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; CUNY Bernard M Baruch College 1100/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Baruch - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Baruch Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Baruch (3.7).
• Baruch has a higher acceptance rate (47.5%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 19% at Baruch.

UCSB vs. Baruch Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Baruch? 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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College's (63%).
• Graduates from CUNY Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates have a $5,651 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($10,800 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Baruch graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($111 vs. $170).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baruch students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.