University of California at Santa Cruz
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About University of California at Santa Cruz
School Type: Public
Religious Affiliation: Not applicable
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: No
Accreditation: regional
The University of California at Santa Cruz is a large public university located on an urban campus in Santa Cruz, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,864, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 59%. The university offers 73 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 78%, and a student-faculty ratio of 24:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $11,442, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $41,196.
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
59% of students were accepted during the 2021-2022 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
89% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.
Graduation Rate Insight
78% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scoresNot required or recommended
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankNot required or recommended
Letter of recommendationNot required or recommended
High school GPARequired
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRequired
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Required
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Implied no
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile-
SAT 25th-75th Percentile-
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
20k
Students enrolled
86%
Online student enrollment
24:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
32%
Unknown
2%
Black
2%
Hispanic
26%
Two or more races
8%
Non-U.S. Citizen
8%
Asian
21%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
31% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
No
Online Programs
0
Total Online Enrollment
17,161
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.86% online, 14% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
100% On-campus
0% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
CertificatesNot offered
AssociateNot offered
Bachelor'sNot offered
Graduate CertificateNot offered
Master'sNot offered
DoctorateNot offered
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $59,784 | $59,784 |
| Graduate | $54,672 | $54,672 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $17,758 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,600 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $81,342 | $81,342 |
| Off-campus without family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
| Off-campus with family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
46%
State Grant Aid
46%
Institution Grant Aid
48%
Pell Grant
31%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$17k
Average student debtafter graduation
$38k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Swimming Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Golf
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields. | |||
| 2 | Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences. | |||
| 3 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies. | |||
| 4 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies. | |||
| 5 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 6 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 7 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. | |||
| 8 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 9 | Education. | |||
| 10 | Engineering. | |||
| 11 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 12 | History | |||
| 13 | History. | |||
| 14 | Legal Professions And Studies. | |||
| 15 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 16 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. | |||
| 17 | Natural Resources And Conservation. | |||
| 18 | Philosophy And Religious Studies. | |||
| 19 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 20 | Psychology. | |||
| 21 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions. | |||
| 22 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 23 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.