UCSB vs. UConn

University of California Santa Barbara and University of Connecticut side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of California Santa Barbara
University of Connecticut

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UCSB (33% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSB. Average net price is $17,658 vs $25,310 at UConn.
  • Graduation: UCSB 80% vs UConn 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSB $59,000 vs UConn $62,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of California Santa Barbara University of Connecticut
Acceptance rate
UCSB more selective
UCSB33%
UConn52.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UCSB higher
UCSB1230-1460
UConn1210-1440
Average net price
UCSB $7,652 less
UCSB$17,658
UConn$25,310
In-state tuition
UCSB $4,630 less
UCSB$16,414
UConn$21,044
Out-of-state tuition
UConn $6,902 less
UCSB$50,614
UConn$43,712
Graduation rate
UConn +3 pts
UCSB80%
UConn83%
Median earnings (10 years)
UConn +$3,000
UCSB$59,000
UConn$62,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCSB 110,259
  • UConn 55,479
  • Admitted
  • UCSB 36,347
  • UConn 29,065
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSB 33%
  • UConn 52.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSB 13.8%
  • UConn 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSB 1350
  • UConn 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSB 31
  • UConn 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSB 3.82
  • UConn 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSB A-
  • UConn A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSB Exceptional
  • UConn Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSB High
  • UConn Low
  • SAT range
  • UCSB 1230-1460
  • UConn 1210-1440
  • ACT range
  • UCSB 28-34
  • UConn 28-33
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSB Test-free
  • UConn Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSB Nov 30, 2026
  • UConn Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSB $16,414
  • UConn $21,044
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSB $50,614
  • UConn $43,712
  • Room & board
  • UCSB $20,279
  • UConn $14,380
  • Average net price
  • UCSB $17,658
  • UConn $25,310
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSB $24,695
  • UConn $16,503
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSB 53%
  • UConn 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSB 80%
  • UConn 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSB $59,000
  • UConn $62,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSB 73%
  • UConn 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSB $16,451
  • UConn $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSB $170
  • UConn $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSB 17:1
  • UConn 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSB
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • UConn
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • UCSB Santa Barbara, CA
  • UConn Storrs, CT
  • Setting
  • UCSB Midsize Suburban
  • UConn Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSB 26,133
  • UConn 28,306
  • Type
  • UCSB Public 4 Year
  • UConn Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSB #112
  • UConn #106

Comparable Facts

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

University of Connecticut is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (28,306 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); University of Connecticut is in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting).
  • University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Connecticut is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Connecticut 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 29.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,380 vs. $20,279).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at UCSB than at University of Connecticut (about $6,902 more per year; $50,614 vs. $43,712).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at University of California Santa Barbara (81% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 49.6% larger than aid received by University of Connecticut students ($24,695 vs. $16,503).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UCSB than at UConn (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSB, test optional at UConn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; UConn Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UCSB average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at UConn (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 15.4% at UConn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $5,049 lower median loan debt than UConn graduates ($16,451 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UConn graduates ($170 vs. $222).
  • More UConn 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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