College Comparison
Penn State vs UC Santa Barbara: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | UC Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 27.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400wins | N/A |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | N/A |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $45,742 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598 | $13,825wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $74,915wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7%wins | 85.3% |
| Retention Rate | 92.0%wins | 91.9% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1wins | 17:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 23,205 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Penn State edges out UC Santa Barbara on 6 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1220–1400
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Graduation Rate: 85.7%
- ✓Retention Rate: 92.0%
UC Santa Barbara Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 27.8%
- ✓Avg Net Price: $13,825
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $74,915
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