UCSB vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with Northeastern University Oakland in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 3.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,580 vs. $20,279).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $17,164 more per year; $67,778 vs. $50,614).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Barbara (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 134.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($57,948 vs. $24,695).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at UCSB (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSB, test optional at Northeastern University Oakland.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UCSB average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,049 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($170 vs. $242).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 66%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.