University of Arizona vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Tucson, AZ — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Tucson, AZ | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 42,537 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 86.1% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,246 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $13,926 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,278 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $16,674 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,620 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 66.7% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 82.8% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $47,665 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $59,979 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 901600.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Full Profile
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
View full college profile →
Full Profile
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
View full college profile →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do University of Arizona and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) has an acceptance rate of 86.1%, in-state tuition of $13,926, and median 10-year earnings of $59,979. 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, University of Arizona 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 $59,979. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, University of Arizona 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 $16,674.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 84.3% vs 66.7%.
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