Academic Comparison between UCSB and UCSD

University of California-Santa Barbara and University of California-San Diego 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 ($47,676) than UCSB ($47,332).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than UCSB.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while UCSB has 26,133 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 3,101 faculties while UCSB has 1,109 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Barbaravs.University of California-San Diego
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLocationLa Jolla, 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$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
57%% Receiving Financial Aid59%
$20,405Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,806
32.97 %Acceptance Rates26.71 %
13.78 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.41 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
83 %Graduation Rate86 %
-Transfer-out Rate4 %
93 %Retention Rate94 %
26,133Student Population44,256
1,109Number of Faculties3,101
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), 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