UCSB vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

UCSB vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than UCSB ($17,209 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 31.7% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,856 vs. $20,279).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $800 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at UCSB than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $12,252 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of California Santa Barbara (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 96.7% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($24,695 vs. $12,552).

UCSB vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 50 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

UCSB vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Minnesota? 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $800 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,734 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($16,451 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($170 vs. $208).
• More Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

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.