Academic Comparison between Fresno State and UCSB

California State University-San Marcos and University of California-Santa Barbara are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,332) than Fresno State ($20,682).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than Fresno State.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while Fresno State has 16,237 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while Fresno State's ratio is 24 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while Fresno State has 416 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Fresno State UCSB
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California State University-San Marcosvs.University of California-Santa Barbara
San Marcos, CaliforniaLocationSanta Barbara, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$8,082
Out-Of-State$20,682
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
63%% Receiving Financial Aid57%
$11,025Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,405
95.10 %Acceptance Rates32.97 %
13.99 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.78 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
55 %Graduation Rate83 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate-
79 %Retention Rate93 %
16,237Student Population26,133
416Number of Faculties1,109
24 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare