UCSB vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (35,724 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

UCSB vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($17,658 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 32.8% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($13,620 vs. $20,279).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $5,512 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at UCSB than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $9,184 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara as at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (53% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 49.7% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($24,695 vs. $16,494).

UCSB vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 20 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Pitt (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 13% at Pitt.

UCSB vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $10,458 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($16,451 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($170 vs. $278).
• More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.