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Side-by-side

Stanford University 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.

Same s setting in the West, but more selective (4% vs 33%) — a stretch target if University of California-Santa Barbara is already on your list.

Stanford UniversityUniversity of California-Santa Barbara
Acceptance rate4%33%
Net price (in-state)

what the average family actually pays after aid

$65,910$16,414
Net price (out-of-state)$65,910$50,614
Sticker tuition (in-state)$65,910$16,414
Sticker tuition (out-of-state)$65,910$50,614
Graduation rate92%84%
Total enrollment7,55423,113

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/stanford-university-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.