UCSC vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina Asheville is in Asheville, NC (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1.

UCSC vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville than UCSC ($13,798 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 29.9% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,992 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 113.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $8,504 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at UCSC than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $25,356 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at University of California Santa Cruz (90% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 196.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($22,774 vs. $7,683).

UCSC vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 10 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

UCSC vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $682 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($19,959 vs. $20,641).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($206 vs. $213).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.