University of California-Irvine vs University of California-Santa Barbara
University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA, and University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university in Santa Barbara, CA. University of California-Irvine is the more selective of the two, admitting about 29% of applicants against 33% at University of California-Santa Barbara. University of California-Irvine is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $14,251 a year against $16,109 at University of California-Santa Barbara. About 86% of students graduate at University of California-Irvine, compared with 84% at University of California-Santa Barbara. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Irvine alumni earn a median of about $80,735, against $74,915 for University of California-Santa Barbara.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Irvine, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
30,197
23,113
Acceptance rate
29%
33%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1230–1430
1230–1460
ACT (middle 50%)
26–33
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,251
$16,109
Full cost / yr
$38,632
$41,573
In-state tuition
$15,722
$16,414
Out-of-state tuition
$49,922
$50,614
Application fee
$80
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,123
$9,231
$30k - $48k
$9,313
$9,992
$48k - $75k
$11,642
$12,588
$75k - $110k
$15,164
$17,136
Over $110k
$30,546
$31,863
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
84%
Freshman retention
94%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$56,210
$56,852
Median earnings (10 yr)
$80,735
$74,915
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
$13,993
Student body
Pell grant recipients
36%
28%
First-generation students
44%
42%
International students
12%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara harder to get into?
- University of California-Irvine is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 33% at University of California-Santa Barbara. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara?
- University of California-Irvine is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $16,109 at University of California-Santa Barbara. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Irvine and University of California-Santa Barbara?
- Before aid, University of California-Irvine costs about $38,632 a year and University of California-Santa Barbara about $41,573. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara?
- University of California-Irvine. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,123 there, against about $9,231 at University of California-Santa Barbara. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara?
- University of California-Irvine is the larger of the two, with about 30,197 undergraduates against 23,113 at University of California-Santa Barbara.
- Does University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Irvine has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 84% at University of California-Santa Barbara.
- Do graduates of University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara earn more?
- University of California-Irvine alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $74,915 for University of California-Santa Barbara. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Irvine and University of California-Santa Barbara require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Santa Barbara is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Irvine and University of California-Santa Barbara look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1230–1430 at University of California-Irvine and 1230–1460 at University of California-Santa Barbara. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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