University of California-Santa Cruz
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, CA, offering 82 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 17,812 students, University of California-Santa Cruz serves a substantial student population.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $14,560
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,607 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 62.54% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 17,812 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 74.45%
Costs
Tuition Costs
$14,560
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of California-Santa Cruz was $14,560.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,607
2024 Value
In 2024 University of California-Santa Cruz had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,607.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$66,428 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,607 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$58,240 4-Year In-State Tuition
$181,348 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for University of California-Santa Cruz.
Financial Aid by Income Level
31.75% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
29.43% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of California-Santa Cruz was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
62.54% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of California-Santa Cruz in 2024 is 17,812 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
60.86% 100% Completion Time
74.45% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 60.86% of students graduating from University of California-Santa Cruz completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of California-Santa Cruz.
Return on Investment
$16,666 Median Student Debt
$68,396 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
24.37% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
929.63% Return on Investment
2.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of California-Santa Cruz.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
Computer Science: 719 completions
General Psychology: 524 completions
CIP 52.0601: 306 completions
CIP 26.0406: 199 completions
CIP 50.0699: 179 completions
Sociology: 176 completions
Social Sciences: 173 completions
CIP 50.0411: 149 completions
CIP 03.0103: 145 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 5,565 completions
Most popular programs at University of California-Santa Cruz.
Employment Outcomes
$49,716 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$59,302 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$68,396 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for University of California-Santa Cruz graduates.
About
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, CA, offering 82 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 17,812 students. The admission rate is 62.54%. The institution maintains a 74.45% graduation rate. Approximately 31.75% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
Location
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 82 distinct degree programs, University of California-Santa Cruz provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.