2025 Compare Cities Education:
Golden, CO vs Santa Barbara, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Santa Barbara spends 25.5% more per student than Golden.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 29.1% higher in Santa Barbara than in Golden. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Barbara had 8.1% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Golden
 Golden, COSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,705$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,223  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,862$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio16.28  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock123874573
 Students per Counselor233  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock7.2%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.7%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock88.0%88.9%
 Some College Educ.14.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.55.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock12.6%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock3.5%1.5%
Reviews for Golden    5 Reviews

...6 months of winter from the first snowfall to the last. Lots of warm, sunny days in between. However...just when you think you can get out your shorts and sandals,  More

   |    Reply

It doesn't get any better than this little town, nestled between two stunning mesas. Beauty abounds in every direction. You have that "small town feel" but are just  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Golden is a fantastic place to have a family! Close to metro Denver, but close to the mountains and all its recreation. The schools are very good! My boys are 5 and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Golden

Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

   |    Reply

If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Barbara


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.