UCSB vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UCSB vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or UVA? 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 UVA ($17,658 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 27% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($14,800 vs. $20,279).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 32.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $5,389 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at UVA than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $8,898 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at University of Virginia Main Campus (53% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 16.3% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($28,715 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 130 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 40% at UVA.

UCSB vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $3,049 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($170 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.