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 ($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 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$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,965
Out-Of-State$45,742
65%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$20,896Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,654
62.54 %Acceptance Rates27.78 %
10.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.37 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate85 %
5 %Transfer-out Rate-
88 %Retention Rate92 %
19,478Student Population26,420
688Number of Faculties1,097
23 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, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare