Portland State University vs University of California-Santa Barbara

Portland, OR — Santa Barbara, CA

Metric
Portland State University
Portland, OR
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Location Portland, OR Santa Barbara, CA
Type Public Public
Total Enrollment 13,182 23,113
Acceptance Rate 90.9% 33.0%
SAT Average
In-State Tuition $11,679 $16,414
Out-of-State Tuition $31,074 $50,614
Avg Net Price $9,552 $16,109
Median Debt at Graduation $20,500 $13,993
4-Year Graduation Rate 52.9% 84.3%
Retention Rate 76.1% 93.0%
Median Earnings (6 yr) $46,937 $56,852
Median Earnings (10 yr) $57,906 $74,915
Loan Repayment Rate 1164000.0% 596200.0%

Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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Portland State University
Portland, OR
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do Portland State University and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?
Portland State University (Portland, OR) has an acceptance rate of 90.9%, in-state tuition of $11,679, and median 10-year earnings of $57,906. 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, Portland State University 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 $57,906. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, Portland State University or University of California-Santa Barbara?
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), Portland State University is the more affordable option at $9,552 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 52.9%.

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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