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College Comparison

UC Santa Barbara vs University at Buffalo: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

School

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC Santa BarbaraUB Buffalo
Acceptance Rate27.8%wins69.3%
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1210–1380wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A27–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$45,742$30,572wins
Avg Net Price$13,825wins$20,470
Median Earnings (10 yr)$74,915wins$70,814
Graduation Rate85.3%wins73.4%
Retention Rate91.9%wins84.5%
Student–Faculty Ratio17:111:1wins
Total Enrollment23,205wins20,284

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC Santa Barbara edges out UB Buffalo 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.

UC Santa Barbara Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 27.8%
  • Avg Net Price: $13,825
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $74,915
  • Graduation Rate: 85.3%

UB Buffalo Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1210–1380
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $30,572
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 11:1

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