UCSB vs. Florida

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Florida is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (56,311 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 Florida is in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Florida 16:1.

UCSB vs. Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Florida? 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 Florida than UCSB ($11,936 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 40.2% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($12,120 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 157.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $10,033 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.6% higher at UCSB than at University of Florida (about $21,955 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at University of California Santa Barbara (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 127.7% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($24,695 vs. $10,846).

UCSB vs. Florida Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 50 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Florida (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Florida 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Florida 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 42.2% at Florida.

UCSB vs. Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Florida? 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 Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $636 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($15,815 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($163 vs. $170).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.