UCSC vs. Western Colorado University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Western Colorado University is in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Colorado University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Western Colorado University 17:1.

UCSC vs. Western Colorado University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University than UCSC ($17,711 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 46.1% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($10,760 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 41.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $4,687 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.5% higher at UCSC than at Western Colorado University (about $25,771 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at University of California Santa Cruz (93% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 170.3% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($22,774 vs. $8,425).

UCSC vs. Western Colorado University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is the same as at Western Colorado University (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Western Colorado University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Western Colorado University 1163/1353.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Western Colorado University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Western Colorado University (3.42).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 11.5% at Western Colorado University.

UCSC vs. Western Colorado University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Western Colorado University? 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 Western Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $1,541 lower median loan debt than Western Colorado University graduates ($19,959 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Colorado University graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Colorado University 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.