UC Santa Barbara vs University of Connecticut (UConn)
Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of California and amidst the vibrant tapestry of New England, University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) and University of Connecticut (UConn) stand as beacons of academic excellence. While both institutions share a commitment to providing a transformative educational experience, they offer distinct opportunities and environments that cater to diverse student aspirations. UCSB boasts a lower acceptance rate, a higher proportion of international students, and a focus on research-intensive programs in science, engineering, and the arts. UConn, on the other hand, offers a broader range of undergraduate majors, a larger student body, and a strong emphasis on community engagement and public service. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that set these two esteemed universities apart and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of California-Santa Barbara |
![]() University of Connecticut |
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Overview |
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Location | Santa Barbara, California | Storrs, Connecticut |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 92.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 29.2% | 55.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | N/A | 1230 - 1430 |
ACT range | N/A | 27 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 105,641 | 36,753 |
Total number of admissions given out | 30,824 | 20,433 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,900 | 3,663 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 17.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,374
Out of state:
$65,128
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In state:
$37,266
Out of state:
$59,934
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Average net price | $17,333 | $22,168 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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In state:
$15,030
Out of state:
$37,698
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Room & board | $16,699 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,238
Meal plan:
$6,020
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $18,107 |
76.0%
Average amount $15,801 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
11.0%
Average amount $4,576 |
35.0%
Average amount $5,247 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $10,788 |
5.0%
Average amount $21,780 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
23,091
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
18,567
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Graduate students |
3,033
Men 53.2% Women 46.8% |
8,309
Men 45.1% Women 54.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 13.2% | 35.3% |
International students | 13.4% | 12.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 11,031 | 10,792 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Texas New York | Connecticut Mississippi New York New Jersey New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 83.1% |
Dropout rate | 14.0% | 6.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 9.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees)
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