University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of California-Santa Barbara
Madison, WI — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Madison, WI | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 36,902 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 45.2% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,427 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $11,603 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,103 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $17,354 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,484 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 89.4% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 96.2% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $61,275 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $73,792 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 729100.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) has an acceptance rate of 45.2%, in-state tuition of $11,603, and median 10-year earnings of $73,792. 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 Wisconsin-Madison 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 $73,792. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 $17,354.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 89.4% 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