Is UCLA considered more prestigious than UCSB for college applications and jobs?

Yes. In broad public perception, UCLA carries more prestige than UCSB for both college applications and many job settings. UCLA has a stronger national and international name, a larger alumni footprint, and more immediate recognition outside California, which is usually what people mean when they talk about prestige.

For college applications, that difference is most noticeable when other people are making quick judgments. A professor, admissions reader, or recruiter who is not deeply familiar with the UC system is more likely to instantly recognize UCLA as a top public university. UCSB is also very well respected, especially for science, engineering, and economics, but its reputation is a bit more field-specific and less universally recognized by name alone.

For jobs, the school name can matter at the margin, especially for first internships, competitive recruiting pipelines, and industries that rely on brand recognition. UCLA benefits from its location in Los Angeles, its larger professional network, and stronger visibility in fields like entertainment, business-related recruiting, pre-med paths, and some national employer pipelines. That said, once you get past the initial screen, employers usually care much more about your experience, grades, skills, and internships than about UCLA versus UCSB.

UCSB is not seen as a weak option at all, and in some departments it can be every bit as impressive to people who know the field. But if the question is strictly about overall reputation people tend to associate with the name, UCLA has the clear edge.