Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Troy, NY — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Troy, NY | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Private Nonprofit | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 5,714 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 63.5% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,456 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $64,081 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $64,081 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $36,228 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,750 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 83.4% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 90.7% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $83,054 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $102,051 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 189900.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) has an acceptance rate of 63.5%, in-state tuition of $64,081, and median 10-year earnings of $102,051. 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $102,051 vs $74,915. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), University of California-Santa Barbara is the more affordable option at $16,109 per year versus $36,228.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 84.3% vs 83.4%.
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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