Verified data from IPEDS & College Scorecard

UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara

Irvine, CA · Santa Barbara, CA · Source: IPEDS federal database

UC IrvineUC Santa Barbara
Acceptance Rate25.6%27.8%
In-State Tuition$14,237$14,965
Out-of-State Tuition$45,014$45,742
Average Net Price$14,647$15,283
Graduation Rate86.0%85.0%

GradFax Analysis

UC Irvine accepts 25.6% of applicants. UC Santa Barbara accepts 27.8%. Tuition is close: $14,237 at UC Irvine, $14,965 at UC Santa Barbara. Six-year graduation rates are close: 86% at UC Irvine, 85% at UC Santa Barbara.

Bottom Line

Both are solid options. Get the actual aid estimates from each school and compare them side by side. The averages above won't tell your specific story.

Source: IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Full interactive comparison →UC Irvine profileUC Santa Barbara profile

Common Questions

Which is harder to get into, UC Irvine or UC Santa Barbara?

UC Irvine. It accepts 25.6% of applicants, per IPEDS data.

Source: IPEDS

Is UC Irvine or UC Santa Barbara more affordable?

UC Irvine, on average. After aid, students pay $14,647/year versus $15,283/year. Your number depends on your aid package.

Source: IPEDS

Which has a better graduation rate?

Nearly the same. UC Irvine is at 86%; UC Santa Barbara is at 85%.

Source: IPEDS

Data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), a federal database maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. Figures represent the most recent available academic year.

UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara: Acceptance Rate, Tuition & Outcomes (2026) | GradFax