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College comparison
San Diego State University vs UC Santa Barbara
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  San Diego State University San Diego, CA |  UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateUniversity of California-Santa Barbara is more selective | 36% | 33% |
| SAT (25–75) | — | — |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 35,377 | 23,113 |
| Avg net price | $15,364 | $16,109 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)UC Santa Barbara reports higher median earnings | $64,909 | $74,915 |
| Graduation rate | 76% | 83% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $13,993 |
| Economic mobility | 3.7% | 3.1% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Public | Public |
Quick answers
- Is San Diego State University or University of California-Santa Barbara harder to get into?
- University of California-Santa Barbara is more selective: San Diego State University's acceptance rate is approximately 36% and University of California-Santa Barbara's is approximately 33% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for San Diego State University vs University of California-Santa Barbara?
- The middle-50% SAT range is — at San Diego State University and — at University of California-Santa Barbara. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.