UCSD vs UCSB

University of California-San Diego 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.
  • UCSD has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,042) than UCSB ($45,742).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than UCSB.
  • UCSD has more students with 42,006 students while UCSB has 26,420 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 2,799 faculties while UCSB has 1,097 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.University of California-Santa Barbara
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationSanta Barbara, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,265
Out-Of-State$46,042
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,965
Out-Of-State$45,742
58%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$20,811Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,654
23.71 %Acceptance Rates25.85 %
21.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.31 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
87 %Graduation Rate85 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate92 %
42,006Student Population26,420
2,799Number of Faculties1,097
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, 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