Academic Comparison between UCSB and California Northstate

University of California-Santa Barbara and California Northstate University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSB is a four-year, public school located in Santa Barbara, CA and California Northstate is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Elk Grove, CA.

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.

  • UCSB is a public and California Northstate is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Northstate has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,600) than UCSB ($47,332).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than California Northstate.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while California Northstate has 981 students.
  • California Northstate has a lower number of students per faculty with 3 to 1 while UCSB's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while California Northstate has 106 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Barbaravs.California Northstate University
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLocationElk Grove, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie Classification
In-State$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
2025 Tuition & Fees$61,600
57%% Receiving Financial Aid34%
$20,405Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,487
32.97 %Acceptance Rates92.47 %
13.78 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)5.81 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
83 %Graduation Rate100 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate86 %
26,133Student Population981
1,109Number of Faculties106
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio3 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesWeekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Placement services