CC BY 2.0
Edited
University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Founded in 1965, the University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution and part of the University of California System. UCSC offers undergraduate degrees in 65 academic majors within departments of Arts, Humanities, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Additionally, UCSC is home to the Real Food Campus Commitment program providing sustainable food to its students as well as maintaining the oldest organic farm and garden programs in the nation. For sports fans, UC Santa Cruz fields 15 men’s and women’s athletic teams known as the Banana Slugs.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
59%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionNovember 30May 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
92%
Out-Of-State Students
4%
32%
Submitting ACT
89%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 28
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1306
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
19,841
Total Number of Undergrads
17,864
Academic Calendar

Quarter

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
21%
20-39 Students
44%
40-99 Students
16%
100+ Students
17%
0
100
52%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
75%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
24:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$17,842
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$14,240
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$44,312
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$18,185
Books and Supplies
$1204

Aid & Grants

0
100
85%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
32%
Average Aid Per Year
$16,091
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
32%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,091
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$8,428

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
36%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,332
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$176

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
52%
48%
Student Organizations
149
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
51%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Banana Slugs
School Colors
navy blue and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
San Francisco
Los Angeles
San Diego
Sacramento
New York
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$53,800

What Students Are Saying

We're nicknames UC Summer Camp, UC Strong Calves, all for a reason. Absolutely beautiful campus, the atmosphere and views are incredible, and even if the you're not too much of a nature freak, the city and the beach are only a 20 minute bus ride away.
Dana from Carson, CA
Santa Cruz is a fantastic place for anyone looking for a unique college experience. There is a perfect balance between academic focus and rigor, extracurricular opportunities and social opportunities. The campus is astonishingly beautiful and the surrounding area is inspiring, being between the beach and the redwood forest.
Zachary from Newport Beach, CA
UCSC is one of the most beautiful places that you'll have the pleasure of spending time at in your life. If you like the outdoors, a friendly and community-based environment, and students and staff that are dedicated to saving the world, then this is the school for you. The academics are amazing and the resources the school offers are excellent.
Erik from Santa Rosa, CA
UC Santa Cruz is a beautiful oasis. The views, environment, and opportunities are open to everyone. The teachers are just as inspiring as the classroom locations, because they are brilliant in their area of study and eager to help their students learn through classroom and one-on-one engagements.
chappy student