An important decision for prospective students is choosing the right college. In this comparison, we will explore two well-regarded institutions: the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the University of Washington, Seattle (UW-Seattle). By examining their costs, admissions, academics, diversity, campus, and outcomes, we aim to provide valuable information to help you make an informed decision.
UCSB Overview
Located on the picturesque coast of California, the University of California, Santa Barbara is a public research university founded in 1909. It is one of the 10 campuses of the University of California system. UCSB is known for its diverse programs in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with popular majors including Biology, Economics, and Communication.
UCSB Costs & Tuition
The estimated annual cost of attendance for UCSB is $36,738 for in-state students and $64,686 for out-of-state students. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with around 55% of UCSB students receiving some form of financial assistance.
UCSB Admissions
UCSB has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 32%. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1280 – 1470, while the average ACT score is 28 – 34.
UCSB Degrees Offered
UCSB offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various disciplines. The university has three colleges: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Creative Studies. UCSB also has several specialized research centers and institutes, such as the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Institute for Energy Efficiency.
UCSB Academics
The academic programs at UCSB are known for their rigor and innovative research. The university offers over 200 majors, minors, and graduate programs. Popular majors include Biology, Economics, and Communication. UCSB has a faculty-to-student ratio of 18:1, ensuring that students receive individualized attention and support.
UCSB Diversity
UCSB has a diverse student population, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Around 35% of the student body identifies as Hispanic/Latino, 29% as White, 17% as Asian, and 4% as Black. The university is committed to promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and has a number of resources and programs focused on diversity and inclusion.
UCSB Students
UCSB has a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students, with around 23,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students. The campus has a vibrant social scene, with numerous clubs, organizations, and activities for students to get involved in. UCSB is also known for its strong athletic program, with 20 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.
UCSB Campus
The UCSB campus is located on 1,055 acres of coastal land, offering stunning ocean views and a mild Mediterranean climate. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research labs, libraries, and recreational facilities. The university offers on-campus housing options for students, with residence halls and apartment complexes available.
UCSB Alumni
UCSB has a strong alumni network, with over 200,000 alumni around the world. Notable alumni include Nobel laureates, political leaders, and entrepreneurs. Some famous UCSB alumni are actors Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow, former US Representative Lois Capps, and Google Earth inventor Brian McClendon.
UCSB Rankings
UCSB consistently ranks highly in various college rankings. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report, UCSB is ranked #30 in National Universities and #6 in Top Public Schools. The university is also ranked #7 in the nation for undergraduate research, according to Forbes.
UCSB Outcomes
The outcomes for UCSB graduates are generally positive, with a 6-year graduation rate of 82%. The average starting salary for UCSB alumni is around $57,000, with popular career fields including engineering, finance, and technology.
UW-Seattle Overview
Founded in 1861, the University of Washington, Seattle is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington. With a strong focus on research and innovation, UW-Seattle offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, including Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences.
UW-Seattle Costs & Tuition
The estimated annual cost of attendance for UW-Seattle is $31,182 for in-state students and $53,766 for out-of-state students. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid is available for eligible students, with around 58% of UW-Seattle students receiving some form of financial assistance.
UW-Seattle Admissions
UW-Seattle has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 52%. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1240 – 1440, while the average ACT score is 27 – 33.
UW-Seattle Degrees Offered
UW-Seattle offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various disciplines. The university has 16 colleges and schools, including the College of Engineering, Foster School of Business, and School of Medicine. UW-Seattle also has several specialized research centers and institutes, such as the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
UW-Seattle Academics
The academic programs at UW-Seattle are known for their rigor and innovative research. The university offers over 180 majors and 370 degree options. Popular majors include Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences. UW-Seattle has a faculty-to-student ratio of 19:1, ensuring that students receive individualized attention and support.
UW-Seattle Diversity
UW-Seattle has a diverse student population, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Around 35% of the student body identifies as White, 33% as Asian, 9% as Hispanic/Latino, and 4% as Black. The university is committed to promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and has a number of resources and programs focused on diversity and inclusion.
UW-Seattle Students
UW-Seattle has a total enrollment of approximately 54,000 students, with around 32,000 undergraduate students and 15,000 graduate students. The campus has a vibrant social scene, with numerous clubs, organizations, and activities for students to get involved in. UW-Seattle is also known for its strong athletic program, with 21 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference.
UW-Seattle Campus
The UW-Seattle campus is located on 634 acres of urban land, offering a diverse and bustling environment. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research labs, libraries, and recreational facilities. The university offers on-campus housing options for students, with residence halls and apartment complexes available.
UW-Seattle Alumni
UW-Seattle has a strong alumni network, with over 400,000 alumni around the world. Notable alumni include Nobel laureates, political leaders, and entrepreneurs. Some famous UW-Seattle alumni are entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates, scientist and author Hope Jahren, and actor Rainn Wilson.
UW-Seattle Rankings
UW-Seattle consistently ranks highly in various college rankings. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report, UW-Seattle is ranked #58 in National Universities and #20 in Top Public Schools. The university is also ranked #4 in the nation for Best Global Universities, according to the 2021 U.S. News Global Universities Ranking.
UW-Seattle Outcomes
The outcomes for UW-Seattle graduates are generally positive, with a 6-year graduation rate of 84%. The average starting salary for UW-Seattle alumni is around $61,000, with popular career fields including engineering, finance, and technology.
UCSB vs UW-Seattle Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of UCSB and UW-Seattle, it is important to consider both tuition and other expenses, such as room and board, books, and supplies. For in-state students, the estimated annual cost of attendance at UCSB is $36,738, while it is $31,182 at UW-Seattle. For out-of-state students, the estimated annual cost of attendance at UCSB is $64,686, while it is $53,766 at UW-Seattle. Both universities offer financial aid opportunities for eligible students to help offset these costs.
UCSB vs UW-Seattle Admissions Difficulty
Both UCSB and UW-Seattle have competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 32% and 52%, respectively. Both universities require applicants to submit high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. The average SAT scores for admitted students at UCSB and UW-Seattle are similar, with UCSB’s range being 1280 – 1470 and UW-Seattle’s range being 1240 – 1440. The average ACT scores for admitted students at UCSB and UW-Seattle are also similar, with UCSB’s range being 28 – 34 and UW-Seattle’s range being 27 – 33.
UCSB vs UW-Seattle Academic Difficulty
Both universities are known for their rigorous academic programs and innovative research. UCSB offers over 200 majors, minors, and graduate programs, while UW-Seattle offers over 180 majors and 370 degree options. The faculty-to-student ratios at both universities are also similar, with UCSB having a ratio of 18:1 and UW-Seattle having a ratio of 19:1. These factors suggest that both institutions provide a challenging and supportive academic environment for students.
UCSB vs UW-Seattle Outcome Comparison
The outcomes for graduates of UCSB and UW-Seattle are generally positive, with both universities boasting high graduation rates and competitive starting salaries for alumni. The 6-year graduation rate for UCSB is 82%, while it is 84% for UW-Seattle. The average starting salary for UCSB alumni is around $57,000, while it is around $61,000 for UW-Seattle alumni. Popular career fields for graduates of both universities include engineering, finance, and technology.
