Academic Comparison between UC Santa Cruz and UCSB

University of California-Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz ($46,923).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than UC Santa Cruz.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while UC Santa Cruz has 19,938 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 22 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while UC Santa Cruz has 820 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Cruzvs.University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz, 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$15,035
Out-Of-State$46,923
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
61%% Receiving Financial Aid57%
$21,866Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,405
65.79 %Acceptance Rates32.97 %
9.29 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.78 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
75 %Graduation Rate83 %
10 %Transfer-out Rate-
88 %Retention Rate93 %
19,938Student Population26,133
820Number of Faculties1,109
22 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, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare