UCSD vs UCSB: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-San Diego and University of California-Santa Barbara, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSD vs UCSB at a glance
UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and UCSB 33% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,794 at UCSD and $16,807 at UCSB. Six-year graduation rates are 86% and 83.6%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and UCSB 33%, so UCSD is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,794 a year at UCSD and $16,807 at UCSB; UCSD costs $2,013 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,229 at UCSD and $9,523 at UCSB.
- 86% of students graduate within six years at UCSD, against 83.6% at UCSB.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,197 for UCSD and $82,568 for UCSB; UCSD is $13,629 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $13,000 at UCSD and $11,776 at UCSB.
- UCSD enrolls 34,948 students (large city) and UCSB 23,113 (midsize suburb).
Side by side
UCSD 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 | UCSD | UCSB |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 33% |
| Applicants | 118,386 | 105,641 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,794 | $16,807 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,337 | $16,989 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,939 | $54,591 |
| Cost of attendance | $41,664 | $44,833 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,229 | $9,523 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,965 | $10,281 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,147 | $14,181 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,235 | $18,954 |
| Over $110,000 | $32,338 | $36,658 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86% | 83.6% |
| First-year retention | 94% | 93% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,197 | $82,568 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 | $11,776 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $148 | $134 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 34,948 | 23,113 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Midsize |
| Location | La Jolla, 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
UCSD reports 72 bachelor's programs and UCSB 54; 43 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSD vs UCSB
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSD or UCSB?
UCSD is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and UCSB admits 33%.
Which is cheaper, UCSD or UCSB?
UCSD has the lower average net price after grants: $14,794 a year at UCSD against $16,807 at UCSB. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,229 and $9,523. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSD or UCSB graduates earn more?
UCSD graduates earn more at the median: $96,197 ten years after entry for UCSD and $82,568 for UCSB. Median federal debt at graduation is $13,000 and $11,776.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSD or UCSB?
UCSD does: 86% of UCSD students graduate within six years, against 83.6% at UCSB.
How big are UCSD and UCSB?
UCSD has 34,948 students in La Jolla, CA and UCSB has 23,113 students in Santa Barbara, CA.