Skip to main content

Side-by-side

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-Santa Barbara

The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.

Both admit around 31% of applicants, with 22k undergrads and a c campus — a close selectivity match.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of California-Santa Barbara
Acceptance rate31%33%
Net price (in-state)

what the average family actually pays after aid

$13,596$16,414
Net price (out-of-state)$34,665$50,614
Sticker tuition (in-state)$13,596$16,414
Sticker tuition (out-of-state)$34,665$50,614
Graduation rate86%84%
Total enrollment21,99623,113

Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-vs-university-of-california-santa-barbara.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.