CSULB vs UCSB: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California State University-Long Beach and University of California-Santa Barbara, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
CSULB vs UCSB at a glance
CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UCSB 33% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $9,426 at CSULB and $16,807 at UCSB. Six-year graduation rates are 70.3% and 83.6%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UCSB 33%, so UCSB is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $9,426 a year at CSULB and $16,807 at UCSB; CSULB costs $7,381 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,443 at CSULB and $9,523 at UCSB.
- 70.3% of students graduate within six years at CSULB, against 83.6% at UCSB.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $69,554 for CSULB and $82,568 for UCSB; UCSB is $13,014 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,195 at CSULB and $11,776 at UCSB.
- CSULB enrolls 35,924 students (large city) and UCSB 23,113 (midsize suburb).
Side by side
CSULB and UCSB in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | CSULB | UCSB |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 46.3% | 33% |
| Applicants | 67,122 | 105,641 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $9,426 | $16,807 |
| Tuition, in state | $8,338 | $16,989 |
| Tuition, out of state | $21,658 | $54,591 |
| Cost of attendance | $22,926 | $44,833 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,443 | $9,523 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,576 | $10,281 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,576 | $14,181 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,462 | $18,954 |
| Over $110,000 | $19,919 | $36,658 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 70.3% | 83.6% |
| First-year retention | 86.8% | 93% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $69,554 | $82,568 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,195 | $11,776 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $161 | $134 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 35,924 | 23,113 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
| Location | Long Beach, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
CSULB reports 86 bachelor's programs and UCSB 54; 44 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about CSULB vs UCSB
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into CSULB or UCSB?
UCSB is harder to get into by acceptance rate: CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UCSB admits 33%.
Which is cheaper, CSULB or UCSB?
CSULB has the lower average net price after grants: $9,426 a year at CSULB against $16,807 at UCSB. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,443 and $9,523. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do CSULB or UCSB graduates earn more?
UCSB graduates earn more at the median: $69,554 ten years after entry for CSULB and $82,568 for UCSB. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,195 and $11,776.
Which has a higher graduation rate, CSULB or UCSB?
UCSB does: 70.3% of CSULB students graduate within six years, against 83.6% at UCSB.
How big are CSULB and UCSB?
CSULB has 35,924 students in Long Beach, CA and UCSB has 23,113 students in Santa Barbara, CA.