Santa Cruz, CA Overview
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public 4-year college located in Santa Cruz, California. There are currently 17,502 undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz and the school’s acceptance rate is 47%. The tuition at UC Santa Cruz is $14,240 for in-state students and $44,312 for out-of-state.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
17,502
Pell Grant 32%
Undergrad Students Over 25 5%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 4%
Percent Male / Female 50% / 50%
Ethnic Diversity at UC Santa Cruz
32% White
28% Hispanic
23% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Multiracial
5% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
2% Black
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
23:1
Graduation Rate
77%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Social Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
7%
7% of graduates
Physical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
4%
4% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Legal Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$38,712
$51,183
$17,601
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$38,712for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$68,784for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since UC Santa Cruz is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at UC Santa Cruz is $38,712 for in-state students in CA, and $68,784 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at UC Santa Cruz would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at UC Santa Cruz
If you reside in California and are considering UC Santa Cruz, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
University of California-Santa Cruz Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of California-Santa Cruz need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of California-Santa Cruz is 001321.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
No Loan Policy at UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check UC Santa Cruz's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
UC Santa Cruz is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at UC Santa Cruz. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at University of California-Santa Cruz
32% of students at University of California-Santa Cruz receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of California-Santa Cruz.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
UC Santa Cruz students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
47%
Is UC Santa Cruz test-optional?
University of California-Santa Cruz is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at UC Santa Cruz?
Students must apply by November 30 to enroll at UC Santa Cruz during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$68,396
Median Debt $16,666
Debt 10 years after graduation $177
Graduation Rate 77%
What is the graduation rate at University of California-Santa Cruz?
77% of students who start at University of California-Santa Cruz end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 19% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of California-Santa Cruz, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $68,396. This is $18,005 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at UC Santa Cruz take out in loans?
Graduates of UC Santa Cruz have to take out a median of $16,666 in federal student loans. This is $3,166 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.