Washington University in St Louis vs University of California-Santa Barbara
St. Louis, MO — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | St. Louis, MO | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Private Nonprofit | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 7,857 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.1% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,530 | — |
| In-State Tuition | $65,790 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $65,790 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $21,786 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,500 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 94.3% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 95.0% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $78,073 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $86,182 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 104800.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do Washington University in St Louis and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
Washington University in St Louis (St. Louis, MO) has an acceptance rate of 12.1%, in-state tuition of $65,790, and median 10-year earnings of $86,182. 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, Washington University in St Louis or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $86,182 vs $74,915. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, Washington University in St Louis 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 $21,786.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
Washington University in St Louis has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 94.3% 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