University of California, Santa Cruz

Nestled amid the sprawling redwoods of Central California, the University of California, Santa Cruz offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and stunning natural beauty. Beyond its picturesque campus, the university fosters a dynamic community of thinkers, innovators, and changemakers.

19,938

Students

65%

Acceptance Rate

Undergrads

17,940

Classification

University

Type

Public, State

Religious Affiliation

None

Website

ucsc.edu

With an ethos rooted in progressive values and a commitment to social justice, UC Santa Cruz encourages students to challenge the status quo and engage deeply with the world's most pressing issues. The diverse academic programs span a wide array of disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and critical thinking. Students at UCSC are not only immersed in intellectually stimulating environments but also have access to cutting-edge research opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities. Whether exploring environmental sciences, digital media, or humanities, the university empowers its scholars to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally.

Admissions

Do you have the credentials necessary to get into University of California, Santa Cruz?

65% acceptance rate

Somewhat Selective

Admission Standards

Grades & Testing

Average SAT score

Unknown

Testing

Unknown

Average High School GPA

3.86

Application Deadlines

Regular Application Deadline

November 30

Early Decision / Early Action?

No

The most important factors University of California, Santa Cruz considers when admitting students are:

•Academic GPA
•Application Essay
•Rigor of Secondary School Record

Learn more about what it takes to get into University of California, Santa Cruz

Financials

See what it costs to attend University of California, Santa Cruz.

$ 42,257

In-state list price

$ 79,859

Out-of-state list price

$ 16,526

Average net price

$ 42,257

Merit Price™

Very Stingy

Merit Meter™

View tuition and cost breakdowns

Social & Lifestyle

What's it like attending University of California, Santa Cruz?

Town

Campus Setting

Democrat

State vote for president

Limited

Greek participation

Weather

Sunny days

Very Sunny

Average winter temp

54°

Average summer temp

69°

Learn more about life at University of California, Santa Cruz

Academics

What to expect in the classroom at University of California, Santa Cruz.

22:1

Student to faculty ratio

61%

4-year grad rate

75%

6-year grad rate

The most popular majors at UC Santa Cruz are:

Computer Science
Psychology, General
Business/Managerial Economics

Learn more about academics at University of California, Santa Cruz

Demographics

Who attends University of California, Santa Cruz?

48

States represented

43

Countries represented

No

State DEI laws

Student Body

Students

19,938

Women

53%

Men

47%

View demographic details

Housing

What's it like living at University of California, Santa Cruz?

$20,928

Room & Board

49

%

Students on campus

Explore housing at University of California, Santa Cruz

FAQs

What GPA is needed to get into University of California, Santa Cruz?

The average GPA of the most recently accepted class was 3.86.

How much does University of California, Santa Cruz cost?

For the most recent year, it cost $42,257 to attend UC Santa Cruz.

How many people attend University of California, Santa Cruz?

19,938 people attend UC Santa Cruz. 17,940 are undergraduate students and 1,998 are graduate students.

Where is University of California, Santa Cruz located?

University of California, Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California. It is in a Town environment.

Can I get into University of California, Santa Cruz with a 3.5 GPA?

In the most recent class of admissions, 95% of students submitted a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Mistakes were made

(But not by you!)

These are the top 10 mistakes people make when searching for colleges