Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Santa Cruz, California |
| Online | ucsc.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of California Santa Cruz, established in 1965, is situated on 2,000 acres of rolling hills overlooking Monterey Bay, approximately 75 miles south of San Francisco. The campus, known for its modernist architecture integrated into a redwood forest setting, combines several residential colleges with research facilities and academic buildings. As part of the University of California system, UC Santa Cruz maintains selective admission standards and is recognized for its strengths in marine sciences, astronomy, environmental studies, and game design. The university operates its own marine laboratory at nearby Año Nuevo Island and houses significant research facilities, including the Center for Adaptive Optics and the Long Marine Laboratory. Students typically live in one of ten residential colleges that provide both housing and academic communities, with most first-year students residing on campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UCSC is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of California Santa Cruz within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#251 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#63 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#24 in Best Colleges in California
#8 in Best Public Colleges in California
#92 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1160/1360 |
| ACT | 25/33 |
| GPA | 3.63 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $80 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,315 |
| Other Fees | $2,726 |
| Room and Board | $18,785 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,646 |
| Total One Year Cost | $40,306 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,315 |
| Other Fees | $2,726 |
| Room and Board | $18,785 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,646 |
| Total One Year Cost | $71,083 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 17% |
| Biology | 14% |
| Psychology | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 10% |
| Business | 9% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering UCSC are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110714 IPEDS survey data for University of California Santa Cruz.
Current students may use the University of California Santa Cruz GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025