UCSB vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (38,857 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); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UCSB vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($17,658 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 18.4% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,550 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $466 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at UCSB than at Virginia Tech (about $12,850 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at University of California Santa Barbara (60% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 169.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($24,695 vs. $9,168).

UCSB vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 20 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Virginia Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UCSB vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of California Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $7,515 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($170 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.