College Comparison
UC Santa Barbara vs UC Davis: 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
UC Davis
Davis, CA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UC Santa Barbara | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 27.8%wins | 41.6% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | N/A |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | N/A |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $45,742wins | $46,024 |
| Avg Net Price | $13,825wins | $15,288 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $74,915 | $80,838wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.3%wins | 85.1% |
| Retention Rate | 91.9% | 93.4%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 17:1wins | 21:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 23,205 | 31,777wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, UC Santa Barbara edges out UC Davis on 5 of 8 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%
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,742
- ✓Avg Net Price: $13,825
- ✓Graduation Rate: 85.3%
UC Davis Strengths
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,838
- ✓Retention Rate: 93.4%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 31,777
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