Academic Comparison between UCSB and UC Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Barbara and University of California-Santa Cruz 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 ($45,742) than UC Santa Cruz ($45,337).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than UC Santa Cruz.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,420 students while UC Santa Cruz has 19,478 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,097 faculties while UC Santa Cruz has 688 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Barbaravs.University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLocationSanta Cruz, 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$14,965
Out-Of-State$45,742
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
61%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$19,654Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,896
28.00 %Acceptance Rates63.00 %
16.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate76 %
-Transfer-out Rate5 %
92 %Retention Rate88 %
26,420Student Population19,478
1,097Number of Faculties688
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio23 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