UCSB vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

Oregon State University is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (37,163 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); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

UCSB vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or OSU? 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 OSU ($17,658 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 19.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,386 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than OSU (about $2,014 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $14,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.5% higher at UCSB than at Oregon State University (about $12,424 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of California Santa Barbara (90% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 119.9% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($24,695 vs. $11,230).

UCSB vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 80 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 20.4% at OSU.

UCSB vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,049 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($170 vs. $242).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU 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.