Academic Comparison between UCSB and LCAD

University of California-Santa Barbara and Laguna College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSB is a four-year, public school located in Santa Barbara, CA and LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, 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 LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,332) than LCAD ($37,500).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than LCAD.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while LCAD has 775 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while UCSB's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Barbaravs.Laguna College of Art and Design
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLocationLaguna Beach, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
2025 Tuition & Fees$37,500
57%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$20,405Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,292
32.97 %Acceptance Rates94.32 %
13.78 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)23.09 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
83 %Graduation Rate52 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate84 %
26,133Student Population775
1,109Number of Faculties24
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services