UC Santa Cruz Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 65.79%. Moderately selective, indicating a less competitive admission process.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $15,035
- Out-of-State Tuition: $46,923
- Tuition rates are on the higher end, which may reflect the institution's resources or prestige.
Student Population at UC Santa Cruz:
- Total Enrollment: 19,938, including 166 online students
- 17,940 Undergraduate, 1,998 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 47.9% men, 52.1% women.
- This is a large institution, providing extensive academic options and vibrant campus life.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 75%. High graduation rate, indicating strong student support and academic success.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 10%. Some students transfer out, which is common in higher education.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 88%. Excellent retention, indicating students are satisfied and supported.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 172 academic programs available.
- Graduate Programs: 96 graduate-level programs offered.
- Degrees Awarded: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
UC Santa Cruz Overview
University of California-Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) is a four-year, public school located in Santa Cruz, CA. It is classified as Research University with very high research activity by Carnegie Classification, also known as R1 University. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at R1 University comparison page.
The UC Santa Cruz's tuition & fees is $15,035 for California residents and $46,923 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 61% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $21,866.
The school has a total enrollment of 19,938 and the students to faculty ratio is 22 to 1 (4.55%).
UC Santa Cruz's acceptance rate is 65.79% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 9.29%.
UC Santa Cruz ranked 193rd in National Universities and 43rd in California Colleges rankings. University of California-Santa Cruz is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of California-Santa Cruz is $15,035 for in-state students and $46,923 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $15,410 for in-state students and $30,512 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $15,525 for California residents and $48,564 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $15,986 for California residents and $31,077 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $15,035 | $46,923 |
|---|
| Graduate | $15,410 | $30,512 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $15,525 | $48,564 |
|---|
| Graduate | $15,986 | $31,077 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of California-Santa Cruz offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Special Learning Opportunities at UC Santa Cruz
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | No |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | No |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
University of California-Santa Cruz Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing UC Santa Cruz