UC Santa Barbara vs UW-Madison

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of California and amidst the vibrant heart of Wisconsin, University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) stand as beacons of academic excellence. While both institutions share a commitment to providing a transformative educational experience, they offer distinct flavors of campus life, academic strengths, and student demographics. UCSB boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body from across the globe, while UW-Madison's rigorous admissions process results in a more selective cohort. Dive into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover further contrasts in popular majors, graduation rates, and more, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	University of California-Santa Barbara	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	Santa Barbara, California	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	Suburb: Midsize	City: 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%	95.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	29.2%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1320 - 1500
ACT range	N/A	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		15.0%
Students submitting ACT score		55.0%
Total number of applicants	105,641	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	30,824	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,900	8,465
Yield rate	15.9%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $35,374 Out of state: $65,128	In state: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$17,333	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	$16,699	Room/dormitory: $7,367 Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $18,107	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,576	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $10,788	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	23,091 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	3,033 Men 53.2% Women 46.8%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	13.2%	50.6%
International students	13.4%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,031	9,226
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	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Physical Science	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	85.4%	89.2%
Dropout rate	14.0%	10.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $86,276 Year 2: $81,554 Year 3: $96,623 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,726 Year 2: $76,773 Year 3: $94,355 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,445 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $88,523 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,540 Year 2: $59,485 Year 3: $73,916 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,678 Year 2: $60,452 Year 3: $73,907 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,465 Year 2: $60,790 Year 3: $73,844 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,765 Year 2: $59,536 Year 3: $71,984 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,194 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $71,014 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,972 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $70,694 Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,652 Year 2: $47,650 Year 3: $66,826	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $131,458 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,083 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $130,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,390 Year 2: $113,091 Year 3: $124,360 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $96,320 Year 2: $117,042 Year 3: $123,777 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,338 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $111,424 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $104,219 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,387 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $103,937 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,839 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $97,306 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $94,093 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,730 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $91,306

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between UCSB and UW-Madison?

UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California, offering a quintessential Southern California experience with beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and a focus on outdoor activities. UW-Madison is situated in Madison, Wisconsin, a vibrant city with a strong Midwestern culture, four distinct seasons, and a lively campus community centered around the State Street area and the lakes.
How do the academic programs at UCSB and UW-Madison compare?

Both universities are highly regarded research institutions with a wide range of academic programs. UW-Madison is particularly strong in areas like engineering, business, and agriculture, while UCSB excels in fields such as environmental science, physics, and creative arts. Both offer excellent programs in the humanities and social sciences. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
What is the cost of attendance at UCSB versus UW-Madison?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, varies. Generally, both universities offer competitive tuition rates for in-state residents. Out-of-state tuition at UCSB tends to be higher than at UW-Madison. Research the specific tuition and fee structures for each university, and factor in living expenses, which can also vary depending on the location.
How does the student life and social scene differ between the two universities?

UCSB boasts a strong beach culture and a more laid-back social scene, with a focus on outdoor activities and a relaxed atmosphere. UW-Madison has a more traditional college town feel, with a vibrant social scene centered around State Street, the Memorial Union, and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football. Both universities offer a wide variety of student organizations and activities.
What are the research opportunities like at UCSB and UW-Madison?

Both universities are leading research institutions, providing ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research. UW-Madison has a particularly strong reputation for its research in areas like engineering, medicine, and agricultural sciences. UCSB excels in research related to environmental science, physics, and marine biology. Explore the research interests of faculty and departments to find opportunities that align with your academic goals.
How do the campus sizes and student populations compare?

Both universities have large student populations. UW-Madison generally has a slightly larger undergraduate enrollment than UCSB. Consider the size and feel of the campus environment when making your decision. Some students prefer the more intimate feel of a smaller campus, while others thrive in a larger, more diverse environment.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at UCSB and UW-Madison?

Both universities offer robust career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. They both have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and support. UW-Madison's alumni network is particularly extensive, given its long history and large student body. UCSB's location in Southern California provides access to a wide range of industries and career opportunities.
How does the climate and weather differ between the two locations?

UCSB enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures year-round, plenty of sunshine, and minimal rainfall. UW-Madison experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters with significant snowfall and warm summers. Consider your preference for weather conditions when choosing between the two universities.
What are the housing options like at UCSB and UW-Madison?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus and off-campus housing options. UCSB has a significant number of on-campus housing options, including apartments near the beach. UW-Madison also has a range of on-campus housing, as well as numerous off-campus apartments and houses in the city of Madison. Research the housing options and costs to find the best fit for your needs.
Which university is better for a student interested in outdoor activities?

UCSB is ideally situated for outdoor enthusiasts, with easy access to beaches, surfing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. UW-Madison also offers outdoor opportunities, including access to lakes for boating and water sports, as well as hiking and biking trails. However, the climate at UCSB allows for year-round outdoor activities, while UW-Madison's winters can limit outdoor pursuits.

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