UC Santa Barbara vs UC Davis

Nestled in the heart of California, University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) and University of California-Davis (UCD) stand as two distinct academic powerhouses, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share the prestige of the UC system, they differ in several key aspects. UCSB boasts a lower acceptance rate, a more diverse student body, and a higher graduation rate, while UCD offers a wider range of undergraduate majors, a larger student population, and a more affordable tuition. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of California-Davis	University of California-Santa Barbara
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Santa Barbara, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	91.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	29.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	87,120	105,641
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	30,824
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	4,900
Yield rate	17.6%	15.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,584 Out of state: $62,338	In state: $35,374 Out of state: $65,128
Average net price	$16,640	$17,333
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	$17,018	$16,699
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	53.0% Average amount $18,107
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	11.0% Average amount $4,576
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	3.0% Average amount $10,788

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	23,091 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	3,033 Men 53.2% Women 46.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.5%	13.2%
International students	17.0%	13.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	11,142	11,031
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii	California Washington Colorado Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	85.4%
Dropout rate	11.8%	14.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,903 Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $137,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,500 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $135,009 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,299 Year 2: $116,258 Year 3: $127,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,488 Year 2: $81,609 Year 3: $103,694 Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,669 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $100,961 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,976 Year 2: $98,186 Year 3: $99,585 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,487 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $98,364 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $94,032 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,487 Year 2: $70,370 Year 3: $89,594 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,514 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $87,586	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $86,276 Year 2: $81,554 Year 3: $96,623 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,726 Year 2: $76,773 Year 3: $94,355 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,445 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $88,523 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,540 Year 2: $59,485 Year 3: $73,916 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,678 Year 2: $60,452 Year 3: $73,907 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,465 Year 2: $60,790 Year 3: $73,844 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,765 Year 2: $59,536 Year 3: $71,984 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,194 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $71,014 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,972 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $70,694 Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,652 Year 2: $47,650 Year 3: $66,826

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) and UC Davis (UCD)?

UCSB and UCD, while both excellent UC schools, offer distinct experiences. UCSB is known for its beautiful beachside location and strong programs in sciences, engineering, and the humanities, with a vibrant social scene. UCD, located in a more traditional college town, excels in agricultural and environmental sciences, biological sciences, and engineering, and has a more laid-back, academically focused atmosphere.
Which school is better for STEM fields?

Both UCSB and UCD are strong in STEM, but their strengths differ. UCD is renowned for agricultural and biological sciences, as well as engineering programs related to these fields. UCSB is highly regarded for its physics, materials science, and engineering programs, particularly in areas like electrical and computer engineering. Consider your specific STEM interest when deciding.
How do the campus environments compare?

UCSB boasts a stunning coastal campus with direct beach access, creating a relaxed and outdoorsy atmosphere. UCD has a larger, more traditional campus in a college town setting, with a focus on sustainability and a strong sense of community. UCSB's social scene is often described as more lively and party-oriented, while UCD's is more academically driven and community-focused.
What are the differences in campus culture and social life?

UCSB is known for its active social scene, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and beach culture. UCD offers a more relaxed and academically focused environment, with a strong sense of community and a focus on sustainability. While both offer a variety of clubs and organizations, UCSB's social life tends to revolve more around parties and the beach, while UCD's is more centered on campus events and student organizations.
Which school is stronger in the humanities and social sciences?

Both UCSB and UCD have strong humanities and social sciences programs. UCSB is particularly well-regarded for its programs in film and media studies, history, and political science. UCD has excellent programs in history, English, and sociology. The 'better' choice depends on your specific area of interest within these fields.
How do the costs of attending UCSB and UCD compare?

The cost of attendance for both UCSB and UCD is relatively similar for in-state students, as they are both part of the University of California system. Out-of-state tuition will be the same. However, the cost of living may vary slightly. Santa Barbara can be more expensive due to its desirable coastal location, particularly for housing. Davis may offer slightly more affordable housing options.
What are the surrounding cities like?

UCSB is located near Santa Barbara, a beautiful coastal city known for its Spanish architecture, beaches, and vibrant downtown area. UCD is located in Davis, a classic college town with a strong focus on cycling and a more relaxed atmosphere. Sacramento, the state capital, is also nearby, offering additional cultural and professional opportunities.
Which school is more competitive to get into?

Both UCSB and UCD are highly competitive, but UCSB generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it marginally more competitive overall. However, admission competitiveness can vary significantly depending on the specific major you are applying to. Check the admission statistics for your intended major at each university.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both UCSB and UCD offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UCD's location near Sacramento provides opportunities for internships in government and related fields, while UCSB's proximity to the tech industry in Southern California offers opportunities in technology and engineering. Both schools have strong alumni networks that can aid in career development.
What are the transportation options like at each school?

UCSB's campus is relatively compact and easily navigable by bike or on foot. Public transportation is available, but many students rely on bicycles. UCD is known for its bike-friendly environment, with extensive bike paths throughout the campus and city. Public transportation is also available, and Sacramento International Airport is easily accessible.

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