University of California-Irvine vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Irvine, CA — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Irvine, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 30,197 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 28.6% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $15,722 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,922 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $14,251 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 86.4% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 94.0% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $56,210 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $80,735 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 635700.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do University of California-Irvine and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
University of California-Irvine (Irvine, CA) has an acceptance rate of 28.6%, in-state tuition of $15,722, and median 10-year earnings of $80,735. 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 California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
University of California-Irvine graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $80,735 vs $74,915. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, University of California-Irvine or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), University of California-Irvine is the more affordable option at $14,251 per year versus $16,109.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Irvine has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 86.4% vs 84.3%.
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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