UCSB vs. Georgia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Georgia is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (43,146 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 Georgia is in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Georgia 17:1.

UCSB vs. Georgia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Georgia? 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 Georgia than UCSB ($16,662 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 42.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($11,672 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $4,964 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.7% higher at UCSB than at University of Georgia (about $18,926 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Georgia 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 111.5% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($24,695 vs. $11,674).

UCSB vs. Georgia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Georgia (1380) is 30 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Georgia (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Georgia 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Georgia 29/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Georgia - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Georgia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Georgia has a higher acceptance rate (37.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 38.3% at Georgia.

UCSB vs. Georgia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Georgia? 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 Georgia's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,695 lower median loan debt than Georgia graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,146).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia graduates ($170 vs. $197).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

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.