California State University-Northridge vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Northridge, CA — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Northridge, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 32,691 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $7,458 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,058 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $7,021 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,872 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 56.5% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 73.4% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $44,372 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $59,115 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 999500.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do California State University-Northridge and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
California State University-Northridge (Northridge, CA) has an acceptance rate of 93.5%, in-state tuition of $7,458, and median 10-year earnings of $59,115. University of California-Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA) has an acceptance rate of 33.0%, in-state tuition of $16,414, and median 10-year earnings of $74,915.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, California State University-Northridge or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $74,915 vs $59,115. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, California State University-Northridge or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California State University-Northridge is the more affordable option at $7,021 per year versus $16,109.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 84.3% vs 56.5%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025