UCSC vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

UCSC vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Purchase College? 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 University of California Santa Cruz than Purchase College ($18,059 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 17.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,436 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 78.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $7,052 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.4% higher at UCSC than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $31,002 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at University of California Santa Cruz (72% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 118.3% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($22,774 vs. $10,432).

UCSC vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Purchase College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purchase College and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 20 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

UCSC vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Purchase College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $2,541 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,959 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($206 vs. $232).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.