UC Santa Barbara vs University of Nevada-Reno (UNR)
Nestled along the scenic California coast and amidst the vibrant city of Reno, University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) and University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing valuable insights for prospective students seeking the ideal fit for their academic aspirations and personal preferences. Explore the comprehensive table below to discover which university aligns best with your goals and aspirations, considering factors such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student body diversity, and graduation outcomes.
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![]() University of California-Santa Barbara |
![]() University of Nevada-Reno |
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Overview |
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Location | Santa Barbara, California | Reno, Nevada |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 78.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 29.2% | 88.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | N/A | 1060 - 1270 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 105,641 | 9,421 |
Total number of admissions given out | 30,824 | 8,306 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,900 | 3,412 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 41.1% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,374
Out of state:
$65,128
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In state:
$26,796
Out of state:
$42,888
|
Average net price | $17,333 | $16,398 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
|
In state:
$7,470
Out of state:
$23,562
|
Room & board | $16,699 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,850
Meal plan:
$5,792
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $18,107 |
86.0%
Average amount $7,232 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
11.0%
Average amount $4,576 |
29.0%
Average amount $5,001 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $10,788 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,013 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
23,091
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
17,025
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
3,033
Men 53.2% Women 46.8% |
4,009
Men 39.3% Women 60.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 13.2% | 26.1% |
International students | 13.4% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 11,031 | 3,524 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Texas New York | Nevada California Hawaii Oregon Washington |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 62.7% |
Dropout rate | 14.0% | 34.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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