UCSC vs. San Jose State vs. UCSD vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with San Jose State University in San Jose, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 19,938 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UCSC vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or San Jose State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Jose State University than UCSC ($13,892 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 4.9% lower than at San Jose State University ($19,948 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 90.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $7,595 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139% higher at UCSC than at San Jose State University (about $29,195 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Santa Cruz (63% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 84.4% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($22,774 vs. $12,353).

UCSC vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or San Jose State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Jose State and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 130 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UCSC students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UCSC vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and San Jose State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($155 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.