Skip to content

College Comparison

Tufts University 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

Tufts University

Medford, MA

School

UC Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricTuftsUC Santa Barbara
Acceptance Rate10.1%wins27.8%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1460–1550winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$67,844$45,742wins
Avg Net Price$35,435$13,825wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$83,214wins$74,915
Graduation Rate93.3%wins85.3%
Retention Rate95.9%wins91.9%
Student–Faculty Ratio10:1wins17:1
Total Enrollment6,80423,205wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Tufts 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.

Tufts Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 10.1%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1550
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,214
  • Graduation Rate: 93.3%

UC Santa Barbara Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,742
  • Avg Net Price: $13,825
  • Total Enrollment: 23,205

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons