San Diego State University vs University of California-Santa Barbara
San Diego, CA — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | San Diego State University San Diego, CA | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | San Diego, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 35,377 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 36.2% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $8,728 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,328 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $15,364 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 77.3% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 90.6% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $52,620 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $64,909 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 794300.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Full Profile
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
View full college profile →
Full Profile
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
View full college profile →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do San Diego State University and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
San Diego State University (San Diego, CA) has an acceptance rate of 36.2%, in-state tuition of $8,728, and median 10-year earnings of $64,909. 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, San Diego 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 $64,909. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, San Diego State University or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), San Diego State University is the more affordable option at $15,364 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 77.3%.
More Comparisons
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