UCSB vs UC Davis: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Santa Barbara and University of California-Davis, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSB vs UC Davis at a glance
UCSB admits 33% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $16,807 at UCSB and $14,318 at UC Davis. Six-year graduation rates are 83.6% and 85.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UCSB admits 33% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8%, so UCSB is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $16,807 a year at UCSB and $14,318 at UC Davis; UC Davis costs $2,489 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,523 at UCSB and $8,770 at UC Davis.
- 83.6% of students graduate within six years at UCSB, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $82,568 for UCSB and $86,999 for UC Davis; UC Davis is $4,431 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $11,776 at UCSB and $12,038 at UC Davis.
- UCSB enrolls 23,113 students (midsize suburb) and UC Davis 32,253 (small suburb).
Side by side
UCSB and UC Davis 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 | UCSB | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 33% | 41.8% |
| Applicants | 105,641 | 87,120 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $16,807 | $14,318 |
| Tuition, in state | $16,989 | $17,346 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,591 | $54,948 |
| Cost of attendance | $44,833 | $43,191 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,523 | $8,770 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,281 | $9,042 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,181 | $11,562 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,954 | $15,645 |
| Over $110,000 | $36,658 | $32,902 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 83.6% | 85.7% |
| First-year retention | 93% | 92.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $82,568 | $86,999 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $11,776 | $12,038 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $134 | $137 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 23,113 | 32,253 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
| Location | Santa Barbara, CA | Davis, 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
UCSB reports 54 bachelor's programs and UC Davis 93; 46 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSB vs UC Davis
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSB or UC Davis?
UCSB is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSB admits 33% of applicants and UC Davis admits 41.8%.
Which is cheaper, UCSB or UC Davis?
UC Davis has the lower average net price after grants: $16,807 a year at UCSB against $14,318 at UC Davis. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,523 and $8,770. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSB or UC Davis graduates earn more?
UC Davis graduates earn more at the median: $82,568 ten years after entry for UCSB and $86,999 for UC Davis. Median federal debt at graduation is $11,776 and $12,038.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSB or UC Davis?
UC Davis does: 83.6% of UCSB students graduate within six years, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
How big are UCSB and UC Davis?
UCSB has 23,113 students in Santa Barbara, CA and UC Davis has 32,253 students in Davis, CA.